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Cricket is officially set to be part of the 20th Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Japan from September 19 to October 4, 2026, with the matches to be played in the T20 format.
The decision follows a series of meetings between the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organising Committee (AINAGOC), with final approval pending a formal nod from the OCA Board, expected to be a mere formality.
According to a statement from a Japan Cricket Association (JCA) official, the 3rd OCA Coordination Committee Meeting will be held from May 1 to 2, where final confirmations regarding the cricket competition are expected.
The meetings, which begin on April 30 and run until May 2, are likely to finalise key logistical and scheduling details.
As in past tournaments, the excitement of cricket will unfold in its fastest and most exhilarating format—T20.
While the exact number of nations joining this thrilling competition is still under wraps, the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou provide a tantalising glimpse of what’s to come.
With 14 men’s and nine women’s teams fiercely vying for glory, cricket enthusiasts can look forward to an electrifying array of talent and fierce competition once again.
India will enter the 2026 Asian Games as defending cricket champions in both men’s and women’s categories, having clinched gold in Hangzhou.
A significant point of discussion is the venue. While the JCA has confirmed that the matches will be hosted in Aichi Prefecture, the exact location remains undecided.
Interestingly, organisers are exploring the possibility of constructing a modular stadium—similar to the temporary venue set up in New York for the ICC T20 World Cup—suggesting an innovative approach to accommodate cricket’s growing footprint.
“There’s a lot of interest—not just because of cricket’s popularity in South Asia, but also due to its inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics,” the OCA noted.
The upcoming Asian Games will feature a total of 41 sports and are expected to bring together approximately 15,000 athletes and officials from the 45 member nations of the OCA.
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