Asian Games 2026: Schedule, teams and how to watch in the UAE
The Asian Games begin in Japan this weekend, with more than 10,000 athletes from 45 nations fighting for continental supremacy. Athletes will compete across 43 sporting events from September 19 to October 4 in Japan’s Nagoya and the Aichi region. Here is everything you need to know about the continental competition, which will be held in Japan for the third time. History The Asian Games are the…
The 2026 Asian Games commence in Japan this weekend, featuring over 10,000 athletes from 45 countries competing for continental dominance. This edition, held in Nagoya and the Aichi region, marks the third time Japan has hosted the multi-sport event, the second-largest after the Olympics. The Asian Games first took place in New Delhi in 1951, with only seven nations having competed in every edition thus far.
For the next two editions, they will be hosted in the Middle East, with Doha in 2030 and Riyadh in 2034. Despite challenges, including accommodation and weather-related disruptions, the Games proceed as scheduled.
The opening ceremony is set for Saturday, September 19, at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya. China dominates the competition, sending a team of 815 athletes and boasting 36 Olympic champions, including badminton star Akane Yamaguchi and gymnast Zou Jingyuan. The UAE will also take part, with 165 athletes competing in 23 disciplines for the first time in modern pentathlon and padel tennis.
The UAE men's football team begins their campaign against Iran on Wednesday, while the women's team opens against China. The UAE's athletes will compete across a range of sports, including athletics, swimming, taekwondo, and esports. Live coverage of the Asian Games 2026 will be available on the TOD streaming platform in the UAE.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 4 other outlets
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