The 20th Asian Games officially opened Saturday, September 19, 2026, with a ceremony at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, Japan. Japan’s Emperor Naruhito declared the Games open, marking the start of more than two weeks of competition across 43 sports.
- Where: Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, Japan — Japan’s third time hosting, after Tokyo (1958) and Hiroshima (1994)
- When: Competition runs through October 4, 2026
- Scale: 46 nations, an estimated 10,840 athletes, 469 events across 43 sports
- Theme: “Harmonic Heart Beat,” with mascot Honohon
- Host delegation: Japan fielded the largest team, with 933 athletes
- Opened by: Emperor Naruhito
Inside the opening ceremony
The ceremony’s centerpiece was a cauldron lighting by Koji Murofushi, the 2004 Athens Olympic hammer throw gold medalist, and his father, Shigenobu Murofushi, a five-time Asian Games champion — a father-son moment tying Japan’s Olympic history to the Games. A kabuki actor performed in front of a model of Nagoya Castle, one of the region’s best-known landmarks, as part of the ceremony’s cultural showcase.
The Games run under the motto “Imagine One Asia” and mark the 75th anniversary of the first Asian Games, held in New Delhi in 1951.
A few bumps before the ceremony
Preparations weren’t entirely smooth. Kyodo News reported that North Korea’s national anthem was mistakenly played for South Korea’s team ahead of a men’s hockey match against Bangladesh. South Korea also filed a formal complaint with the Games’ organizing committee over a ceremony segment it said highlighted a historical Japanese warlord who invaded Korea. Organizers in Nagoya had also faced scrutiny in the run-up to the Games over cost-cutting decisions.
What’s next
Competition continues across Aichi Prefecture through the closing ceremony on October 4. Japan, South Korea and China are expected to lead the medal count, as they have at recent editions, though 46 nations in total are competing across the Games’ 71 disciplines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the 2026 Asian Games being held?
In Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, Japan — the third time Japan has hosted the Games, after Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994.
How many countries are competing in the 2026 Asian Games?
46 nations are taking part, with an estimated 10,840 athletes competing in 469 events across 43 sports.
When do the 2026 Asian Games end?
The closing ceremony is scheduled for October 4, 2026.
Who opened the 2026 Asian Games?
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito declared the Games open at the ceremony in Nagoya on September 19, 2026.
