What are the Asian Games?
The Asian Games are the continental multi-sport games of Asia and, after the Summer Olympics, the largest multi-sport event in the world: Hangzhou 2022 (held 2023) gathered more than 10,000 athletes from all 45 Asian National Olympic Committees across 40 sports.[1] [2] The program combines the Olympic sports with major Asian sports such as kabaddi, sepak takraw and wushu.[2]
Who organizes the Asian Games?
The Games are owned by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the continental association of Asia's 45 NOCs, and staged by a host organizing committee, with each sport under its international or Asian federation.[3] An Asian Para Games follows in each host.[4]
When and where are they held?
Every four years, in a host elected by the OCA. The 20th edition takes place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, 19 September – 4 October 2026.[4] [5]
| Season | Pool / Format | Host cities |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 20th Games | Aichi-Nagoya (JPN) — upcoming, 19 Sep–4 Oct |
| 2022 | 19th Games | Hangzhou (CHN) — held 2023, postponed |
| 2018 | 18th Games | Jakarta–Palembang (INA) |
| 2014 | 17th Games | Incheon (KOR) |
| 2010 | 16th Games | Guangzhou (CHN) |
| 2006 | 15th Games | Doha (QAT) |
| 2002 | 14th Games | Busan (KOR) |
| 1998 | 13th Games | Bangkok (THA) |
| 1994 | 12th Games | Hiroshima (JPN) |
| 1990 | 11th Games | Beijing (CHN) |
Hangzhou 2022 was postponed one year by the COVID-19 pandemic and held in 2023. Future hosts already elected: Doha 2030 and Riyadh 2034.[2] [6]
Since when do they exist?
The first Asian Games were held in New Delhi in 1951, and the event has run on a four-year cycle under the OCA and its predecessor federation ever since.[3]
How do athletes qualify?
Entry runs through the National Olympic Committees: NOCs select and enter national teams within per-sport quotas and technical rules set with the federations; in several sports entry builds on Asian championships and rankings.[3] [5] In a number of disciplines, Asian Games titles and placings also carry qualification value toward the Olympic Games.[5]
Why do the Asian Games matter?
An Asian Games medal is the highest continental games honor in Asia, contested by fields that in many sports — swimming, athletics, badminton, table tennis, weightlifting among them — are of full world class.[2] [5] With more than 10,000 athletes, the Games exceed every multi-sport event except the Summer Olympics in scale, and selection to a national team for them is itself an elite distinction.[2]
Who competes?
National teams of all 45 Asian NOCs — led historically by China, Japan and South Korea, which have dominated the medal tables, alongside strong delegations from India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the Gulf states.[2] [3]
References
- Government of Japan — Hosting the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026. Accessed August 2026.
- Olympics.com — Asian Games 2026 competition schedule released. Accessed August 2026.
- Olympic Council of Asia — official site. Accessed August 2026.
- World Triathlon — 20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya 2026. Accessed August 2026.
- Olympics.com — Asian Games news. Accessed August 2026.
- Olympics.com — Doha to host 2030 Asian Games; Riyadh gets 2034 edition. Accessed August 2026.