Asian Games 2026: Japan prepares for Nagoya spectacle as teen stars take centrestage

The Asian Games 2026 are set to take place in Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. This will be the first time the event returns to Japan since 1994. Over 15,000 athletes and officials are expected to participate, which is more than the number of competitors in the Olympics. The Games will be held in both Nagoya and the wider Aichi area.

Among the teenage star athletes taking the center stage are a 21-year-old Philippine tennis sensation Alexandra Eala, a 15-year-old Indian cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and a 13-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi. Organizers hope the athletes will experience a unique accommodation setup, ranging from a cruise ship to wooden shipping container-style huts and standard hotel rooms.

The cruise ship Costa Serena will house around 4,000 to 5,000 athletes, offering 571 cabins, seven swimming pools, eight restaurants, and nine bars.

To ensure the athletes' comfort and performance, preparations for accommodation are in their final stages. Eala, the world number 20 tennis player, aims to continue her rapid rise and become the first player from her country to win a WTA title. Sooryavanshi, who became the youngest cricketer to represent India, hopes to win gold at the newly built cricket ground in Nagoya. Chinese swimmer Yu, who set a new women's 200m individual medley Asian record last year, will be part of China's dominant team.

The Asian Games will showcase both traditional and local sports, with new events like mixed martial arts, padel, teqball, and virtual taekwondo. Esports returns after a successful debut in Hangzhou, aiming to inspire elderly people to keep their minds active. The atmosphere in Nagoya is gradually becoming palpable, with organizers hoping to showcase the wonder of sport and excite the audience.