The opening ceremony, held at Nagoya’s Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, marked the start of a schedule that runs through October 4, featuring 43 sports and 71 sub‑events across the city’s venues.
Organisers said the Games will host about 11,000 competitors who will contest 469 gold medals, underscoring the event’s scale as the largest Asian multi‑sport gathering to date.
Early competitions have already begun, with basketball, football and cricket matches underway, giving athletes a head start before the bulk of the programme kicks off later this week.
India entered the tournament with a strong contingent, looking to build on its record‑breaking haul at the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games where it captured 107 medals, including 28 gold. The Indian squad aims to defend its men’s and women’s cricket titles, retain both kabaddi crowns, and field the reigning men’s hockey champions.
The 2026 edition also introduces several newer disciplines, such as freestyle BMX, mixed martial arts, paddle surfing, teqball and a virtual taekwondo competition, reflecting the Games’ effort to stay current with evolving sports trends.
Seven sports – archery, hockey, sailing, squash, surfing, tennis and triathlon – will award direct qualification spots for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, adding an extra layer of stakes for athletes competing in those events.