Asian Games 2026: Full Kabaddi schedule announced; Know dates, timings & more

India will look to defend their continental supremacy.

The Kabaddi schedule for the 20th edition of the Asian Games has been announced, and the thrill is all set to captivate the audience. The Kabaddi action will take place at Tōkai Citizens Gymnasium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan.

The group stages will be held from September 21 to 24. Moreover, the semis and finals of both the men’s and women’s tournaments will take place on September 25 and 26, respectively.

Both the Indian men’s and women’s teams won gold medals at the 2022 Asian Games, and they will aim to retain the crown in Japan as well.

Both the Indian men’s and women’s teams are in a tricky group

The group stage will feature round-robin games with each team facing the others in the group once. The top two will secure their place in the semi-finals.

The men’s tournament will feature 10 teams split into two groups. India have been placed in Group A with hosts Japan, 2022 Bronze medalists Chinese Taipei, Bangladesh, and the Republic of Korea. On the other hand, 2018 Gold Medalists Iran, Pakistan, Nepal, Malaysia, and Thailand form Group B.

Indian men’s team will start their campaign against hosts Japan on September 21, before facing the Republic of Korea the next day.

Their penultimate group match will be against Bangladesh, and they will conclude the league stage against Chinese Taipei on September 24.

The women’s tournament will see eight teams with two groups of four each. India are in a tricky group with Iran, hosts Japan, and Bangladesh. The other group will see 2022 Silver Medalists Chinese Taipei, Nepal, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.

India will be favourites for Gold

India will start as favourites in both categories, but they must not be complacent, as other teams have sprung surprises on them and controversies have also arisen.

In the 2018 edition, India failed to win the gold medal for the first time; meanwhile, former Indian players approached the courts, levelling allegations of corruption against the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India.

The men’s team failed to reach the final, and the women’s team lost in the final; Iran defeated them on both occasions.

The 2022 edition featured two thrilling finals; in the men’s final, with just one minute of play remaining, the match had to be halted for an hour due to the contentious ‘lobby’ rules.

Men’s Kabaddi Schedule for Asian Games

September 21, 2026 Monday

Morning Session – 6:00 AM IST

• Bangladesh vs Republic of Korea
• Nepal vs Thailand
• Japan vs India

Afternoon Session – 12:30 PM IST

• Pakistan vs Malaysia
• Bangladesh vs Chinese Taipei

September 22, 2026 Tuesday

Morning Session – 6:00 AM IST

• Nepal vs Pakistan
• Republic of Korea vs India
• Thailand vs Malaysia

Afternoon Session – 12:30 PM IST

• Bangladesh vs Japan
• Nepal vs Iran

September 23, 2026 Wednesday

Morning Session – 6:00 AM IST

• Republic of Korea vs Chinese Taipei
• Malaysia vs Iran
• Bangladesh vs India

Afternoon Session – 12:30 PM IST

• Thailand vs Pakistan
• Chinese Taipei vs Japan

September 24, 2026 Thursday

Morning Session – 6:00 AM IST

• Thailand vs Iran
• Republic of Korea vs Japan
• Chinese Taipei vs India

Afternoon Session – 12:30 PM IST

• Nepal vs Malaysia
• Pakistan vs Iran

Semi-finals

• Semi-final 1 – September 25, 2026, Friday – 9:30 AM IST
• Semi-final 2 – September 25, 2026, Friday – 2:30 PM IST

Final

• Gold Medal Match – September 26, 2026, Saturday – 2:30 PM IST

Women’s Kabaddi Schedule for Asian Games

September 21, 2026, Monday

Morning Session – 6:00 AM IST

• Iran vs Japan

Afternoon Session – 12:30 PM IST

• Sri Lanka vs Thailand
• Bangladesh vs India

September 22, 2026, Tuesday

Morning Session – 6:00 AM IST

• Thailand vs Nepal

Afternoon Session – 12:30 PM IST

• Iran vs Bangladesh
• Sri Lanka vs Chinese Taipei

September 23, 2026, Wednesday

Morning Session – 6:00 AM IST

• Iran vs India

Afternoon Session – 12:30 PM IST

• Japan vs Bangladesh
• Chinese Taipei vs Nepal

September 24, 2026, Thursday

Morning Session – 6:00 AM IST

• Thailand vs Chinese Taipei

Afternoon Session – 12:30 PM IST

• Sri Lanka vs Nepal
• Japan vs India

Semi-finals

• Semi-final 1 – September 25, 2026, Friday – 9:30 AM IST
• Semi-final 2 – September 25, 2026, Friday – 2:30 PM IST

Final

• Gold Medal Match – September 26, 2026, Saturday – 9:30 AM IST

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