Cricket to feature at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan - Reports

India’s men’s and women’s teams are the current gold medal champions in cricket in the Asian Games.

Cricket has reportedly been selected by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to be included in the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4. Although the exact venues are yet to be finalized, all cricket matches will be played in Aichi Prefecture.

This marks the fourth time cricket will be featured in the Asian Games. In its first two appearances, in Guangzhou (2010) and Incheon (2014), the matches did not carry international status. However, when cricket returned at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, the matches were officially recognized as T20 Internationals.

The OCA, in conjunction with the Aichi-Nagoya Games Organizing Committee (AINAGOC), is expected to make a formal announcement during its series of meetings this week. The 20th edition of the Asian Games is set to be held from September 19 to October 4 next year.

“The OCA Board still needs to give its approval. While we believe this is largely a formality, it is not 100 percent confirmed until it’s officially done,” a representative from the Japan Cricket Association (JCA) said.

The OCA meetings will be held from Wednesday, April 30, to Friday, May 2, with the third OCA Coordination Committee Meeting scheduled for May 1 and 2.

Cricket Venue in Japan Remains a Concern

A total of 41 sports, including cricket, will be contested at the Games, with participation expected from 15,000 athletes and officials representing the 45 National Olympic Committees affiliated with the OCA.

India’s men’s and women’s cricket teams are the current gold medalists, having secured the top podium spots at the 2022 Asian Games, which were held in Hangzhou, China, from September 19 to October 7, 2023.

The format for cricket at the 2026 Games will once again be T20, as it was in the previous editions. The number of participating teams is still under discussion and is expected to be decided in meetings this week. In the Hangzhou edition, nine women’s teams and fourteen men’s teams took part.

While cricket’s inclusion has generated enthusiasm among fans, the biggest uncertainty surrounding the 2026 Asian Games remains the exact venue for the cricket competition. Though it has been confirmed that the matches will be held in Aichi Prefecture, the specific location is still undecided.

Organizers now face the challenge of selecting the most suitable site. One potential solution is the construction of a modular stadium, similar to the one used for the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in New York. Modular venues offer flexibility, especially in areas lacking permanent cricket infrastructure.

A final decision regarding the venue is expected in the coming weeks. The organizers are committed to ensuring that the chosen location is accessible, well-equipped, and capable of hosting top-level cricket matches. Given cricket’s immense popularity in South Asian nations like India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, significant regional and international interest in the tournament is anticipated.

Cricket’s inclusion in the Asian Games also aligns with its upcoming debut at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where it will appear on the Olympic stage for the first time since 1900.

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