New Delhi: The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has confirmed that both cricket and mixed martial arts (MMA) will be featured in the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026. This announcement was made following the 41st meeting of the AINAGOC Board of Directors at Nagoya City Hall on April 28, 2025.
Mixed martial arts will debut at the Asian Games as a full medal sport, joining the combat sports category alongside ju-jitsu and kurash. The inclusion of MMA marks a significant milestone in the sport’s recognition across Asia. Notably, Indian fighters Anshul Jubli and Pooja Tomar have recently made their way into the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), highlighting the growing popularity of MMA in India.Reuters
Cricket will return to the Asian Games after its inclusion in the 2022 Hangzhou Games. The sport will be contested in the T20 format, aligning with its upcoming inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. However, organizers face challenges in securing a suitable venue in Japan, as the only international cricket stadium is located in Tochigi Prefecture, approximately three and a half hours from Nagoya. Discussions are ongoing to convert a baseball stadium in Nagoya to accommodate cricket matches.
The 2026 Asian Games will feature athletes from 48 countries competing across 41 sports. In addition to MMA and cricket, the program will include four new e-sports medal events, bringing the total number of medal events to 11.
