Asian Games 2026: What makes them different from Olympics

Any sporting event that involves thousands of athletes and a multi-sport competition gets the attention of everyone, but nothing comes close to the Olympics, which are considered the pinnacle of sport and human endurance, skills and sports culture, bringing the whole world together. At first glance, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the Olympics and the Asian Games may look similar. Both events have opening and closing ceremonies, and athletes are awarded gold, silver and bronze medals in both events. But in terms of scale and depth, fundamentally, both events are different.

This year, the Asian Games, officially known as Aichi-Nagoya 2026, will be held in Japan's Aichi Prefecture, with Nagoya as the main hub, from September 19 to October 4. These are the biggest showpiece sporting event in the subcontinent and will draw more than 11,000 athletes from 45 countries to compete for glory. So, what makes them different from the Olympics? Let's find out what sets them apart.

What exactly are the Asian Games?


The Asian Games are the largest multi-sport event in Asia, where athletes from countries across the continent participate in the competition. If we go into history, the first Asian Games were held in New Delhi in 1951. Just like the Olympics, the Asian Games are also held every four years and are organised by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

The last event was held in Hangzhou, China, in 2023 after a delay of one year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Thus, the 2026 edition will once again return the event to its regular four-year cycle.

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The biggest difference between the Asian Games and the Olympics is geography, in simple terms. While the Olympics is where athletes from all across the world compete, the Asian Games is a continental competition where only nations from Asia can compete. Though only athletes from Asia compete in this competition, there is still massive competition, as India has to compete against sporting powerhouses such as China, South Korea and Japan, along with other top contenders from the continent.

Different mix of sports

Another big difference is the sports programme. While the Olympics stick to a standard sports programme that is accepted globally, the Asian Games have some flexibility to include sports that are particularly popular in Asia.

This year, Aichi-Nagoya 2026 will feature 43 sports, 71 disciplines and 469 events.

From an Indian context, let's take the example of cricket, which is the most popular sport in India but is not as popular in the West and is not an Olympic mainstay. However, cricket has featured in the Asian Games and will be played this time too.

The inclusion of cricket gives the Asian Games a distinct advantage from an Indian perspective. India has a strong cricketing ecosystem and a large following for the sport, while several other Asian countries also have a long cricketing tradition. The sport therefore provides another major medal opportunity for India at the Games.

Thus, the Asian Games also provide a stage for sports that have a huge following in the subcontinent and where nations can excel.

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Sporting dynamics

The Olympics could provide players from India with an opportunity to compete against athletes from the USA, Europe, Africa, South America and Australia. But in the Asian Games, they will be up against only Asian athletes. Thus, in certain sports, this could make the Games extremely demanding.

For some nations such as China, which is a strong sporting nation, this provides a great opportunity to showcase dominance in Asia, just as it does at the Olympics. But they also face stiff competition from Japan and South Korea in various disciplines such as badminton, gymnastics, swimming, judo and athletics.

Thus, the Asian Games are considered a major stepping stone between the Commonwealth Games and many regional competitions, as it is where nations are up against each other and their top athletes, who also do well at the Olympics.

When it comes to the medal count, there is a difference between the Asian Games and the Olympics. Though athletes get gold, silver and bronze medals in both events, the Asian Games offer a broader sports programme. Hence, they also provide more opportunities to win medals.

In Aichi-Nagoya 2026, there are expected to be 1,407 medals to be won across 469 events. Thus, it gives countries the opportunity to build their medal tallies to a great extent.

Regional identity

While the Olympics are showcased as a global sporting event with a global identity, the Asian Games are built around a strong Asian regional identity.

The Asian Games bring together countries with different sporting cultures, economies and political systems, which gives them a defining feature of diversity.

For athletes, the Asian Games provide an opportunity to win medals and also to test their form and readiness for bigger competitions. They can use this platform as a pathway to achieve bigger results at the Olympics, as the opportunity is significant. By the July deadline, more than 17,000 athletes and officials had already registered for the event.