New Delhi, Sept 2026 : India will look to build on its record-breaking performance at the previous edition as the Asian Games 2026 get underway in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with athletes from across the continent set to compete for honours in 43 sports.
The Asian Games are the biggest multi-sport competition in Asia and are held every four years under the aegis of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). The 2026 edition will bring together 45 countries and regions, making it the 20th edition of the continental sporting spectacle.
The Asian Games were first held in New Delhi in 1951, when 489 athletes from 11 countries participated. Since then, the Games have been hosted 19 times. Japan will host the continental event for the third time, after Tokyo hosted the inaugural edition on Japanese soil in 1958 and Hiroshima staged the Games in 1994.
India enters the Aichi-Nagoya Games after an impressive campaign at Hangzhou 2023, where the country secured a record 107 medals, including 28 gold medals. The Indian contingent will now seek to improve on that performance across a wide range of disciplines.
India will defend its titles in both men’s and women’s cricket and kabaddi, while the men’s hockey team will enter the competition as the reigning champions.
Several prominent Indian athletes are expected to be among the key names in the country’s campaign. Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu will spearhead India’s badminton challenge, while Olympic champion Mirabai Chanu will lead the weightlifting contingent.
In shooting, Manu Bhaker will be among India’s leading competitors. Wrestler Aman Sehrawat will carry the country’s hopes on the mat, while boxer Lovlina Borgohain will look to make an impact in the ring.
Athletics will also be a major component of India’s campaign, with more than 75 Indian track and field athletes expected to compete. Gulveer Singh, Tejaswin Shankar, Murali Sreeshankar, Jyothi Yarraji and Parul Chaudhary are among the athletes expected to challenge for medals.
Shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor will be another prominent Indian contender. The two-time defending Asian Games champion will seek to retain his title in Aichi-Nagoya.
The 2026 Asian Games will also have significance beyond the continental medals, with Olympic qualification opportunities available in disciplines including archery, sailing, squash, surfing and tennis.
Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony of the Asian Games 2026 is scheduled to take place on September 19 in Aichi-Nagoya, officially marking the start of the continental sporting event.
Live Telecast and Streaming in India
Sports fans in India will be able to follow the Asian Games through Sony Sports Network. The live telecast will be available on Sony Sports 1 and Sony Sports 5, while regional-language coverage will be provided on Sony Sports 3 in Hindi and Sony Sports 4 in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.
The Games will also be available for live streaming through SonyLIV, via its app and website in India.
With a strong contingent across athletics, shooting, badminton, wrestling, boxing, hockey, kabaddi and other disciplines, India will enter Aichi-Nagoya seeking another significant medal haul and aiming to extend the momentum generated by its historic performance at Hangzhou.
