The Asian Games 2026 schedule is now nearing completion, and the Japanese city of Aichi-Nagoya is getting ready for Asia’s top athletes to compete for over two weeks. The Asian Games will officially kick off on September 19, 2026 and end on October 4, 2026, but fans will not wait until the Opening Ceremony to see action. The beginning of football is a few days earlier and the first weekend is filled with medal events. The Games also have additional meaning in the lead-up to LA28, with some sports providing stints towards qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
Asian Games 2026 Dates and Competition Schedule
The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 will be held at 43 sports in a dozen venues in Aichi, Nagoya and elsewhere in Japan as per the latest official list of sports.
The Opening Ceremony is set for September 19, 6 p.m., at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Japan Standard Time. This will be repeated during the October 4th Closing Ceremony.
The official organising committee made adjustments to the 2026 competition programme, including additional schedule changes that were announced in August. The Asian Games competition schedule should hence be used by fans at present and not old schedules.
Follow all the details of the games on our Asian Games 2026 complete coverage and Asian Games 2026 medal table.
Early Asian Games 2026 Fixtures Start Before Opening Ceremony
One of the most important scheduling details is that Asian Games 2026 football starts well before September 19.
Football Begins on September 14
Women’s football will kick off five days before the Opening Ceremony on September 14. Early games are Japan vs Thailand, Chinese Taipei vs Vietnam, South Korea vs Myanmar and China vs Hong Kong, China.
Men’s football kicks off on September 15 with games featuring Qatar vs South Korea and Uzbekistan vs Philippines. The men from Japan face Hong Kong, China, on September 16.
The tournament lasts deep into the Games, with the women’s football final on October 2 and the men’s final on October 3.
Knockout football fans can save the Asian Games 2026 football schedule.
Asian Games 2026 Medal Dates to Watch
The first full day after the Opening Ceremony immediately produces medals.
On September 20, Triathlon will be awarded some of the first medals in the new sport. The individual men’s race starts at 8:30 a.m. JST and the individual women’s race at 11 a.m. The Mixed Relay will be on September 21.
The beginning of the week also starts with a tri-weekly event for the medal table as swimming starts on September 20.
As the Games continue, the focus of attention moves from athletics and cycling to gymnastics and combat sports and team events. The International Judo Federation has registered 204 judoka from 32 nations to compete in Judo from September 30th to October 2nd.
Followed by the closing of the Games on October 4, Football then hands out its women’s medals on October 2 and men’s medals on October 3.
Asian Games 2026 and LA28 Olympic Qualifiers
The Asian Games 2026 LA28 qualification story is particularly significant as it will also impact on the selection of the teams that qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
But not all the sports in the Asian Games are automatic qualifiers for the Olympics. Each international federation will have its own qualification rules.
Tennis Offers an LA28 Qualification Route
The International Tennis Federation has announced that first ITF Places for the LA28 Olympic Tennis Event will be decided at the Asian Games 2026.
The men’s and women’s singles winners may qualify for the Olympic pathway, based on the ITF’s eligibility requirements and the number of athletes allowed per country, in the continental qualification system.
That makes the Asian Games tennis singles finals considerably more important than medals alone.
Asian Games Hockey Is Also on the Road to LA28
Hockey carries direct Olympic qualification significance.
The highest ranked qualified Asian hockey team in the men’s and women’s events, in the LA28 qualification list will be awarded an Olympic qualification if the side has not qualified under any of the other qualification routes laid out by the FIH.
This is why the hockey round of medals in Aichi-Nagoya is one of the most important games in Aichi-Nagoya.
For more qualification updates, follow our LA28 Olympic qualification tracker.
More Sports Action to Follow
What’s New in Singapore Cricket?
Check out the T20 qualifier schedule, tickets and entry rules.
Who Leads The WTA Rankings?
Find the latest rankings after the US Open.
How Does Champions League Qualification Work?
Uncover the points, goal difference and qualification rules.
Where Can You Watch Champions League?
Browse beIN SPORTS, Astro and the complete live schedule.
Where Can You Watch PVL Live?
See free streams, Cignal Play and Pilipinas Live options.
What Makes Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Different?
The Games feature Olympic sports, which include athletics, swimming, badminton, gymnastics and tennis, as well as sports that have a particularly large following in Asia.
The official programme also covers esports, kabaddi, sepaktakraw, wushu, cricket, mixed martial arts, padel and teqball, which are among the widest sport programmes in the international agendas.
Meanwhile, recent reports suggest that over 11,000 athletes will be competing in Aichi-Nagoya, making it one of the largest multi-sport events of the year 2026.
FAQs
When do the Asian Games 2026 start?
The Asian Games 2026 officially open on September 19 and finish on October 4, although football fixtures begin on September 14.
Where are the 2026 Asian Games being held?
The Games are centred on Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, Japan, with selected events also taking place at venues outside the main host area.
What are the first medal events at Asian Games 2026?
Among the opening medal events, men’s and women’s triathlon take place on September 20, followed by the mixed relay on September 21.
Are the Asian Games 2026 an LA28 Olympic qualifier?
For certain sports, yes. Tennis and hockey have confirmed LA28 qualification implications, although the precise pathway and eligibility rules differ by sport.
