The Games will take place from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi and Nagoya, involving 40 sports and 15,000 athletes and officials. It will be the most complex Asian Games ever held, with more competition venues than in any previous edition of the event.
The Organising Committee of the 2026 Asian Games has approved 11 esports titles for the upcoming games co-hosted by Japan’s Aichi prefecture and Nagoya city. The list of esports tournaments was confirmed at the 93rd Executive Board Meeting of Olympic Council of Asia. The event will also include cricket, which made its Asian Games debut at Hangzhou 2023, after making a comeback at Jakarta 2018, although it did not receive international status.
Esports tournaments at the Asian Games are designed to provide athletes with a platform to showcase their talent and abilities to the entire world through high-quality events that are characterized by clear and transparent rules, and the highest level of sporting integrity. The choice of titles at this edition of the Asian Games is reflective of broader trends in the regional market, and in accordance with stringent broadcasting protocols for high-stakes global sporting events.
With this year’s event scheduled during peak typhoon season, the organizers are prepared for any possible weather-related issues. Aichi-Nagoya 2026 has established the ‘Floating Village’ where more than 4,600 athletes and officials, or about one-third of total participants, will stay at a luxury cruise ship docked at Kinjo Pier in the Port of Nagoya, and another 2,400 athletes will be accommodated at a pier located around 15 minutes away from the ship.