The Asian Games 2026 will be held in Aichi and Nagoya Prefectures of Japan from September 19 to October 4 next year. The sports programme was finalised at a meeting of the OCA Coordination Committee and Aichi-Nagoya Organising Committee (AINAGOC) on Friday, May 2. MMA will be introduced to the Asian Games as a new discipline under combat sports, while cricket has been retained, making it the first time since the 2008 Summer Games that the sport has made an appearance in the event.

The Olympic Council of Asia will have contingency plans ready in case of a tsunami, typhoon or other natural disaster during the Games. The OCA’s Coordination Committee has informed the 45 member National Olympic Committees of the plan. It also covers the arrangements for temporary accommodation. The Aichi-Nagoya organisers have decided not to build a dedicated Asian Games Village and will rent a cruise ship docked at Kinjo Pier in Nagoya to provide accommodation for athletes and officials.

The Aichi-Nagoya group, including local governments, various sports and economic organizations, the mass media, and businesses, will offer warm hospitality that lets visitors experience the region’s culture of being the home to many warlords in the Sengoku period and its unique cuisine. In addition, the Group will support the development of sports in Aichi-Nagoya through its large-scale events, such as the Expo 2005 Aichi Japan and the Nagoya Women’s Marathon. This effort is aimed at further deepening the growing exchange within Asia.