Asian Games 2026: Check dates, live streaming, TV telecast in India and other key details

India will look to build on its record-breaking medal haul from the previous edition in Hangzhou as the Asian Games 2026 officially get underway in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday.

The Asian Games are the biggest multi-sport competition in Asia and are held once every four years. Organised by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the Games bring together athletes from 45 countries and regions.

The first Asian Games were held in New Delhi in 1951, with 489 athletes from 11 countries taking part. Since then, the continental showpiece has been held 19 times.


The upcoming edition will feature 45 countries and regions competing across 43 sports. It will be the 20th edition of the Games and the third time Japan has hosted the continental sporting event, after Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994.

India heads into the Asian Games looking to better its record-breaking campaign at Hangzhou 2023, where it won 107 medals, including 28 gold.

India are the defending champions in both men's and women's cricket and kabaddi, while the men's hockey team enters the tournament as the reigning champion.

PV Sindhu will spearhead India's badminton campaign, while Mirabai Chanu will lead the weightlifting contingent. Manu Bhaker will be among India's leading names in shooting, while Aman Sehrawat will take the mat in wrestling. In boxing, Lovlina Borgohain will be among the country's key medal contenders.

Athletics will feature more than 75 Indian track and field athletes, with Gulveer Singh, Tejaswin Shankar, Murali Sreeshankar, Jyothi Yarraji and Parul Chaudhary among the country's leading medal prospects. Tajinderpal Singh Toor will enter Aichi-Nagoya as the two-time defending champion in men's shot put.

Olympic qualification quotas will also be available in sports including archery, sailing, squash, surfing and tennis.

Asian Games 2026 live streaming and telecast details

When will the Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony take place?

The Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony will be held on September 19 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Where to watch the live telecast of Asian Games 2026 in India?

The live telecast of the Asian Games 2026 will be available on Sony Sports 1 and Sony Sports 5 in India. The Games will also be broadcast in regional languages on Sony Sports 3 in Hindi and Sony Sports 4 in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.

Where to watch the live streaming of Asian Games 2026 in India?

The Asian Games 2026 will be available for live streaming on SonyLIV through its app and website in India.