The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organizing Committee (AiGC) have announced the start of a month-long countdown to the start of Asia's largest multi-sport event, which will be held in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya City, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026.

More than 11 thousand athletes and 6 thousand officials from 45 countries will participate in the competition. Over the course of 16 days, athletes will compete for 1407 medals in 469 events across 43 sports and 71 disciplines.

The Aichi-Nagoya Games will be Japan's third Asian Games host, following Tokyo 1958 and Hiroshima 1994. The event will be held under the motto "Imagine One Asia."

OCA President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani said the Games reflect the strength, solidarity and shared vision of uniting Asia as the largest and most diverse continent in the Olympic family. He said Japan has world-class experience in organizing major sporting events, and Aichi-Nagoya 2026 will set a new benchmark for future Games, inspiring the younger generation of Asian sports.

10,2 thousand volunteers will support the Games' preparations, and 5,3 thousand accredited media representatives will cover the competitions. Hundreds of millions of fans worldwide are expected to watch the broadcasts.

OCA Director General Hussein Al-Musallam thanked the Japanese side for preparing the venues for Asian athletes and noted that the Games will create memories for millions of people not only in Japan but throughout Asia, strengthening friendship through sport and promoting peace through the continent's cultural diversity.

The opening ceremony of the Games will take place on September 19, the closing ceremony on October 4, 2026.