Cricket officially confirmed for 2026 Asian Games

Cricket continues to make its mark on the global sporting stage as it has now been officially added to the 2026 Asian Games, set to be held in Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. 

The decision follows months of negotiations between the Asian Olympic Council (AOC) and the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The tournament will feature both men’s and women’s cricket events, further boosting the sport’s profile in multi-sport competitions. While cricket had previously appeared in the Asian Games in 2010, 2014, and 2022, its re-inclusion marks a renewed commitment to promoting the game across Asia.

Top teams like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are expected to participate, bringing high-profile cricket action to the event.

One of the key questions yet to be resolved is the venue for the matches. Organizers are reportedly considering a modular stadium setup similar to the model used in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the United States.

The inclusion of cricket in the Asian Games comes shortly after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) made headlines by reintroducing cricket into the Olympics after an astounding 128 years. The sport will return at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in the T20 format, with six men’s and six women’s teams taking part. Each team will have 15 players, and a total of 90 players per gender will be allocated spots in the event.

The last time cricket was played at the Olympics was during the 1900 Paris Games, making its 2028 return a historic moment for the sport.