Cricket has been retained for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 in Japan. Cricket to Remain Included in Asian Games 2026 decision was made by the Olympic Council of Asia during the 41st meeting of the AINAGOC Board of Directors held on Monday. Along with this, martial arts have also been approved for inclusion in the 2026 Asian Games.
Asian Games 2026 Latest Updates
Sports Desk, New Delhi: Cricket has been retained for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026, scheduled to be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4. This decision was taken by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) on Monday, April 28, during the 41st meeting of the AINAGOC Board of Directors. Additionally, martial arts have also been approved for inclusion in next year’s Asian Games.
In its official statement, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) announced that the latest developments in the finalization of the sports program took place during the 41st meeting of the AINAGOC Board of Directors, held on Monday, April 28, at Nagoya City Hall. During the meeting, both cricket and mixed martial arts were formally approved for inclusion in the Asian Games 2026.
Cricket to Remain Included in Asian Games 2026 for the Fourth Time
It is worth noting that cricket will be included in the Asian Games for the fourth time. The sport first featured in the 2010 Asian Games held in Guangzhou, followed by its inclusion in the 2014 edition in Incheon. However, matches played during those editions were not granted international status. When cricket made its return at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, the matches were officially recognized as T20 Internationals.
India Had Won the Gold Medal in Cricket
India won gold medals in both the men’s and women’s cricket categories, while Bangladesh secured bronze in both divisions. Afghanistan and Sri Lanka claimed silver in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively. In addition to these medal-winning nations, teams from Pakistan, Nepal, Maldives, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Japan, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia also participated in both categories.
Cricket is Also Set to be Included in the Olympic Games
Notably, Aichi Prefecture will host all the cricket matches, although the specific venues have not yet been finalized. The matches will be played in the T20 format, as was the case previously. Meanwhile, the inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has further boosted global interest in the sport.
