Archive · 12 Sep 2026
India Announces Asian Games 2026 Schedule and 508-Athlete Contingent
India is sending a large team to the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
The team has 508 athletes competing in 35 sports.
There are 272 male athletes and 236 female athletes.
The official opening ceremony is on September 19, but some competitions start earlier.
Athletics will have the most Indian athletes, with 79 competitors.
India will also compete in sports such as hockey, cricket, kabaddi, badminton and shooting.
The Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams can qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics by winning their competitions.
India won 106 medals at the previous Games in 2022 and hopes to improve that result.
India will send 508 athletes across 35 sports to the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, with 272 men and 236 women.
The Games officially open on September 19, though events such as teqball and cricket begin earlier.
Athletics has India’s largest contingent with 79 athletes, followed by hockey with 40, and cricket and shooting with 30 each.
India’s cricket, hockey, kabaddi, badminton, shooting, athletics, boxing, archery, wrestling and weightlifting schedules are outlined through October 3.
India won 106 medals in 2022, including both hockey and kabaddi titles, and will target another strong performance in Japan.
- Who
- India’s 508-athlete contingent, led administratively by Chef de Mission Sahdev Yadav, will compete in 35 sports.
- What
- India will participate in the 2026 Asian Games, with schedules provided for major sports and medal events.
- When
- The Games are scheduled for September 17 to October 3, with the opening ceremony on September 19.
- Where
- Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
- Why
- India aims to improve on its 2022 performance, while hockey victories would secure qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- Indian contingent
- 508 athletes across 35 sporting disciplines
- Gender representation
- 272 male athletes and 236 female athletes
- Chef de Mission
- Sahdev Yadav
- Largest contingent
- Athletics, with 79 athletes
- Previous result
- India finished fourth in the 2022 medals tally with 106 medals
- Opening ceremony
- September 19, 2026
- Competition period
- Events are scheduled from September 17 through October 3