The Asian Games

The Asian Games (popularly known as Asiad) is considered the second largest multi-sport competition in the world (after the Olympic Games). The Games were first held in 1951. The Asian Games were last held in Aichi and Nagoya in 2026, the previous edition having been in Hangzhou in 2023. The next Asian Games will be held in Doha in 2030, followed by Riyadh in 2034.

Trials for the Oriental Games in 1915, a precursor to the Asian Games

The 2026 Asian Games

The 20th Asian Games were held in Japan's Aichi Prefecture and the city of Nagoya from 19 September to 4 October 2026, with a few events starting earlier in the month. It was the first time Japan had staged the Asiad since Hiroshima in 1994. Around 10,800 athletes from 46 teams – 45 national Olympic committees plus a refugee team – contested 469 medal events in 43 sports, among them the Asian Games debuts of freestyle BMX, mixed martial arts, padel, surfing, teqball and virtual taekwondo. The opening and closing ceremonies were held at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium.

China topped the table for the twelfth consecutive Games, winning 169 golds and 341 medals in all. Hosts Japan were second with 83 golds and 269 medals, and South Korea third. India finished fourth for a second successive Games, though their haul of 85 medals was well down on the 107 they won in Hangzhou.

For the 2026 Asian Games, there were a total of 43 sports included in the program. See more on the Asiad sports.

More Information

• Sports — about the sports at the Asian Games
• Countries — information about each country that has participated at the Asian Games.
• History — about the history of the event.
• Hosts — about the host countries and cities.
• Trivia — trivial information about the Games.

Other Major Sporting Events in the Asia Region

• Southeast Asian Games — for nations in Southeast Asia
  • ASEAN Para Games
  • ASEAN University Games
• East Asian Games — for nations in East Asia
• West Asian Games — for nations in West Asia
• Central Asian Games — for nations in Central Asia
• South Asian Games — for nations in South Asia
• Asian Beach Games — a multi-sport event held every two years among athletes representing countries from Asia.
• Asian Indoor-Martial Arts Games — combining Asian Indoor Games and Asian Martial Arts Games.
• Asian Winter Games — the Winter Asiad has been held about every four years since 1986.
• Asian Youth Games
• Children of Asia International Sports Games —  an international multi-sport event for young athletes from the Russian regions, countries of Asia, and members of the Olympic Council of Asia.