Asian Games 2026: Full India schedule with key events

Asian Games 2026 will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, with the Indian contingent sending legends like PV Sindhu and Mirabai Chanu to the East Asian nation. While the main event starts on September 19 after the opening ceremony, the sporting action began on September 10.

Also Read: Asian Games 2026: When and where to watch in India

Around 500 Indian athletes will participate in the 20th edition of Asian Games, competing in 35 sports. With 73 athletes, athletics will see the largest Indian representation. India will also field teams in hockey, cricket, archery, kabaddi, and badminton, among other sporting events.

Also Read: Asian Games 2026: Key Indian players to watch out for 

India at Asian Games 2026: Key events and dates

India is defending both the men’s and women’s titles in cricket and kabaddi. The Indian men’s hockey team will also be defending their crown. Here are some of the key events and dates of the Indian contingent: 

September 18: Indian women’s cricket team will compete in the quarter-final against Japan.

September 20: P.V. Sindhu will compete in the women’s badminton team preliminary round, and the Indian men’s hockey team will compete in Hockey Pool A vs Indonesia. India women to face Bangladesh in semi-finals.

September 23: Mirabai Chanu will compete in the women’s 49 KG weightlifting event. Manu Bhaker will compete in 10M air pistol individual team qualification.

September 25: Manu Bhaker will compete in the 10 M air pistol mixed team qualification. Medal rounds will also be held on the same day.

September 27 to September 28: Manu Bhaker will compete in the women’s 25 M pistol event. The precision stage is on September 27, and the rapid stage and final are on September 28. 

September 28: The Indian men’s cricket team will compete in the quarter-final vs the Group A runner-up.

October 2: Aman Sehrawat will compete in men’s freestyle 57 KG wrestling preliminary. Medal rounds will also be held on the same day.

What to expect from the Indian contingent at the Asian Games? 

India at the Asian Games 2026 will look to build on its record-breaking campaign at Hangzhou 2023, where it won 107 medals, including 28 gold.

For hockey, the Indian men’s team will enter the arena as reigning champions. Shreyas Iyer will lead India’s title defence in the men’s T20 cricket, while Harmanpreet Kaur is the T20 captain of the women’s team. However, javelin star Neeraj Chopra will miss this tournament due to an ankle injury.