Cricket Returns to the Asian Games in 2026

Cricket Set to Feature in 2026 Asian Games in Japan

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Cricket is poised to make a return at the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Japan. Although a final confirmation is awaited, the inclusion is expected to be formalized during this week’s discussions between the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organizing Committee (AINAGOC). The 20th edition of the Games is slated to run from September 19 to October 4 next year.

A representative from the Japan Cricket Association (JCA) expressed optimism ahead of the meetings, stating that while the official nod from the OCA Board is still pending, it's largely seen as a formality. The OCA has announced that the coordination meetings will be held from April 30 to May 2, with the third OCA Coordination Committee Meeting occurring over the final two days.

Cricket will be one of the 41 disciplines featured at the Games, which will host around 15,000 participants, including athletes and officials from the 45 National Olympic Committees under the OCA umbrella. Both the Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams will head to Japan as defending champions, having claimed gold medals at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China—a tournament that was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The recent approval of cricket and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) as part of the official sports program came during the 41st AINAGOC Board of Directors meeting, held at Nagoya City Hall on April 28. As with previous editions, cricket will be played in the fast-paced T20 format. The final list of participating teams is expected to be confirmed in the coming days. In the Hangzhou Games, the men’s cricket event saw 14 teams compete, while nine teams participated in the women’s category.

One of the key decisions still pending is the selection of the venue for the cricket events. There is speculation that a modular stadium—similar to the one used in New York for the ICC T20 World Cup—could be considered. The JCA noted that the matches will take place in Aichi prefecture, though the specific site has not yet been finalized.

With the T20 format also set to feature in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, cricket’s inclusion in the Asian Games takes on added significance. The 2028 Olympics will mark the sport’s return to the Olympic stage after more than a century, with its last appearance dating back to the 1900 Paris Games, where Great Britain defeated France in the only match of that tournament.

Bangla One Tech