Asian Games 2026: 11,000 Athletes to Descend on Aichi–Nagoya, Japan

The 20th Asian Games are coming to Japan this autumn. The Aichi–Nagoya Asian Games 2026, the largest sporting competition in Asia, will run from September 19 to October 4, 2026, with the main opening ceremony to be held at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya.

Asia's Largest Sporting Competition

According to an announcement by the Olympic Council of Asia on August 19, the games are expected to attract 11,000 athletes and 6,000 officials from 45 countries and regions. The programme features a total of 43 sports, which is more than at the Summer Olympics.

Most events will take place in Aichi Prefecture, while others will be held in neighboring Gifu and Shizuoka prefectures, as well as Tokyo and Osaka.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Dates: September 19 to October 4, 2026
• Expected turnout: 11,000 athletes and 6,000 officials
• Delegations: 45 countries and regions under the Olympic Council of Asia
• Programme: 43 sports, more than at the Summer Olympics
• Host locations: Aichi, Gifu, Shizuoka, Tokyo, and Osaka

A Growing Spectacle Since 1951

The first Asian Games were held in New Delhi, India, in 1951. Following the 1954 games in Manila, the Philippines, the competition has followed a four-year cycle.

The scale of the games has expanded along with the development of Asia:

• 1951 New Delhi: 489 athletes
• 1958 Tokyo: 1,820 athletes
• 1990 Beijing: 6,122 athletes
• 2026 Nagoya: more than 11,000 athletes expected

The Medal Race

China has topped the medal rankings, based on the number of gold medals won, at each of the past three Asian Games. Japan and South Korea have been competing for second and third place, while the countries finishing fourth and fifth have varied from one edition to the next.

Who Is Competing in 2026

A total of 45 National Olympic Committees under the Olympic Council of Asia will send delegations to Japan. The continent's traditional sporting powerhouses, China, South Korea, Japan, and India, are set to field extensive squads across almost every discipline on the programme.

India will feature in 37 of the 43 sports at the games.

With months of anticipation finally giving way to competition time, the Aichi–Nagoya Asian Games are poised to return a massive sporting event to Japanese soil when the action kicks off on September 19, 2026.