Planning to visit Nagoya for the 2026 Asian Games?
This is a complete guide that covers everything you need to know, including venues, ticket information, transportation, accommodation tips, and the best things to do in Nagoya between competitions.
From September 19th to October 4th, 2026, Nagoya and the wider Aichi region will welcome thousands of athletes, officials, and visitors from across Asia for one of the continent’s biggest sporting events: the 20th Asian Games.
Held every four years, the Asian Games bring together elite competitors from over 45 nations and territories to compete in dozens of sports, from athletics and swimming to kabaddi, cricket, and eSports.
For Japan, this marks the third time hosting the Games and the first time since Hiroshima welcomed the event in 1994. For Nagoya, it’s a chance to showcase everything that makes the city special, like its world-class sports venues, efficient transport, incredible food, and easy access to some of central Japan’s most fascinating destinations.
Whether you’re planning to watch your favourite athletes, cheer on your home country, or simply soak up the international atmosphere, here’s everything you need to know before visiting the 2026 Asian Games.
Article Contents
What are the Asian Games?
Described as Asia’s version of the Olympics, the Asian Games are the largest multi-sport event on the continent. Organised by the Olympic Council of Asia, the Games feature thousands of athletes competing across more than 40 sports over two weeks.
Unlike the Olympics, the Asian Games also include sports that are especially popular throughout Asia. Alongside familiar Olympic events like athletics, swimming, gymnastics, basketball, and football, visitors can also watch baseball, sepak takraw, wushu, kabaddi, dragon boat racing, and eSports.
The 2026 edition is expected to feature over 10,000 athletes, making it one of the largest sporting events ever held in Japan.
When are the 2026 Asian Games?
The Games take place from:
September 19th – October 4th, 2026
The opening ceremony kicks everything off on the 19th of September, while medal events take place every day until the closing ceremony on the 4th of October.
Because competitions are spread across more than two weeks, visitors can easily combine attending sporting events with sightseeing around Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, and neighboring destinations like Gifu, Mie, or even Kyoto. And if you want to explore the area with a guide, consider joining one of our many original tours!
Key competition dates
While the full day-by-day competition schedule is still being finalized, a few important dates are already confirmed.
- 19 September 2026 (Saturday): Opening Ceremony
- 23-29 September: Athletics at Paloma Mizuho Stadium
- 4 October 2026 (Sunday): Closing Ceremony
Most sports will take place throughout the two-week event, with preliminary rounds held during the first week and medal matches and finals concentrated towards the end of the Games. As the official competition timetable is released, visitors will be able to plan their itineraries around specific events and sessions.
Where are the Games being held?
Although commonly referred to as the Nagoya Asian Games, events will actually be hosted across Aichi Prefecture, with additional competitions taking place in nearby prefectures.
Nagoya serves as the main hub, with many of the headline events held inside the city.
Some of the major venues include:
IG Arena
One of Nagoya’s newest landmarks, IG Arena will be a showcase venue for the Games. Located beside Nagoya Castle, this state-of-the-art arena will host basketball and judo competitions, making it one of the busiest venues throughout the tournament. With a capacity of around 17,000 spectators and excellent transport links via the Meijo Subway Line, it’s expected to be a focal point for fans during the Games.
Paloma Mizuho Sports Park
The newly rebuilt Paloma Mizuho Stadium will host the Opening and Closing Ceremonies as well as athletics competition, including track and field events. The athletics competition is scheduled to take place from September 23rd to 29th, 2026, making this one of the must-visit venues for fans of the Games’ premier events. The surrounding Mizuho Sports Park also hosts football and rugby sevens competitions.
Nagoya City General Gymnasium (Rainbow Hall)
Known locally as Rainbow Hall, Nagoya City General Gymnasium will welcome some of the Games’ most graceful and exciting events. The venue is scheduled to host artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, and trampoline gymnastics, bringing together many of Asia’s top gymnasts under one roof. Conveniently located in southern Nagoya near Nagoya Congress Center and Atsuta Shrine, it’s easily accessible by subway and makes a great addition to a day of sightseeing.
Nippon Gaishi Sports Plaza
A familiar venue for international sporting events, Nippon Gaishi Arena will host water polo during the Games. Located just a short walk from JR Kasadera Station, the venue is well connected to central Nagoya and has previously hosted world championships in a variety of sports.
Port of Nagoya
The waterfront area will host several outdoor and urban sports while also offering plenty to explore between competitions. Visitors can enjoy attractions such as the Nagoya Port Aquarium, the Antarctic Research Ship Fuji, and scenic harbour walks before or after attending events nearby.
Other venues across Aichi
Competitions will also take place in cities including Toyota, Okazaki, Ichinomiya, Toyohashi, Komaki, Anjo, Tahara, Gamagori, and Tokoname, giving visitors the perfect opportunity to explore more of Aichi Prefecture while following the Games.
Which sports can you watch?
One of the biggest attractions of the Asian Games is its incredible variety.
Fans can watch world-class competition in:
- Athletics
- Swimming
- Diving
- Artistic Gymnastics
- Rhythmic Gymnastics
- Basketball
- Football
- Volleyball
- Rugby Sevens
- Tennis
- Table Tennis
- Badminton
- Cycling
- Archery
- Shooting
- Weightlifting
- Wrestling
- Boxing
- Judo
- Karate
- Taekwondo
- Fencing
- Canoeing
- Rowing
- Sailing
Alongside these Olympic favourites are uniquely Asian sports including:
- Wushu (China): A Chinese martial art that combines fast, graceful movements with combat techniques in both performance and sparring events.
- Sepak Takraw (Malaysia): A Southeast Asian sport, widely associated with Malaysia, in which players use their feet, head, knees, and chest to kick a rattan ball over a net without using their hands.
- Kabaddi (India): A traditional Indian contact team sport in which a raider scores points by tagging opponents and returning to their side without being tackled.
- Dragon Boat Racing (China): A traditional Chinese water sport where teams paddle long, narrow boats in sync to race over a set distance.
- Baseball
- Softball
- Cricket
- ESports
Even if you’re unfamiliar with some of these events, they’re often among the most exciting competitions to watch thanks to passionate crowds and high skill levels.
Traditional Japanese Sports in Nagoya & 7 Ways to Try Them
Why visit the Asian Games and Nagoya?
Unlike many international sporting events where tickets can be difficult to obtain, the Asian Games generally offer excellent opportunities to experience elite sport without Olympic-level prices.
You’ll also enjoy a unique atmosphere.
Athletes, supporters, and media from across Asia fill the city, creating a multicultural festival that extends far beyond the stadiums.
Restaurants become busier, fan zones appear around the city, and public spaces often host cultural performances, live entertainment, and promotional events.
For visitors, it’s an ideal excuse to experience Nagoya at one of its most energetic times of the year.
Tickets
Ticket sales are expected to begin several months before the Games.
Most events will require booking in advance, particularly:
- Opening Ceremony
- Closing Ceremony
- Athletics finals
- Swimming finals
- Basketball medal matches
- Football finals
- Popular Japanese events like baseball and judo
If previous Asian Games are any indication, preliminary rounds are usually much easier to obtain while still offering excellent sporting action.
Digital ticketing is expected to be the primary method, although further details will be announced by the organising committee closer to the event.
If you’re travelling internationally, it’s worth securing accommodation before purchasing event tickets, especially if you’re planning to stay in central Nagoya during the busiest weekends.
Getting around Nagoya during the Games
One of Nagoya’s biggest advantages as a host city is its outstanding public transport.
Most visitors will rely on a combination of:
- JR Central trains
- Nagoya Subway
- Meitetsu Railway
- Aonami Line
- Local buses
The subway system is particularly easy to navigate, with English signage throughout stations and trains.
IC cards such as TOICA, Suica, PASMO, ICOCA, and other nationwide cards work across almost all public transport, making travel straightforward.
Extra services are likely to operate during the Games, especially around major venues.
Best Things to Do Between Asian Games Events
One of the biggest advantages of attending the 2026 Asian Games is that many venues are located within easy reach of Nagoya’s excellent public transport network. Whether you have a few free hours between competitions or an entire day without events, there are plenty of opportunities to discover why Nagoya and Central Japan are among Japan’s most rewarding destinations.
Discover Nagoya’s Unique Food Culture
No visit to Nagoya is complete without trying its famous local cuisine. From crispy tebasaki chicken wings and rich miso katsu to hitsumabushi (grilled eel) and the city’s famous Morning Service breakfast culture, Nagoya offers flavours you won’t find anywhere else in Japan.
If you’d like to experience the city’s food like a local, join one of our 5-star guided food tours, where you’ll discover hidden eateries, family-run restaurants, and the stories behind Nagoya’s unique culinary traditions.
Explore Nagoya Castle & Samurai History
Located next to the new IG Arena, Nagoya Castle is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and an easy stop before or after attending competitions.
Walk through the beautiful castle grounds, learn about the powerful Tokugawa clan, admire the famous golden shachihoko, and discover how Nagoya became one of Japan’s most important castle towns.
Want to dive deeper? Our guided experiences reveal the history and hidden stories that most visitors never discover.
→ Join our Full Day Nagoya Private Tour and get to know Nagoya Castle in depth
Experience Traditional Japanese Culture
Take a break from the excitement of the Games and experience a quieter side of Japan.
Join a traditional tea ceremony in a historic tea house, learn the etiquette behind one of Japan’s oldest cultural traditions, or try your hand at authentic Japanese cooking with a local instructor.
These intimate experiences offer a wonderful contrast to the energy of the sporting events.
→ Experience a Tea Ceremony in a Traditional Japanese House
→ Learn How to Make Delicious Japanese Dishes with our Cooking Experiences
Take an Easy Day Trip from Nagoya
If you have a full day between competitions, Nagoya is the perfect base for exploring Central Japan.
Visit the castle town of Inuyama, walk the historic Nakasendo Trail, discover the pottery traditions of Tokoname, or explore picturesque mountain villages and rural landscapes just a short train ride from the city.
Our guided day trips make it easy to experience the region’s highlights without worrying about transportation or planning.
→ Explore Our Day Tours From Nagoya
Discover Aichi’s Pottery Traditions
Aichi Prefecture has been producing ceramics for centuries and is home to two of Japan’s most famous pottery towns: Tokoname and Seto.
While visiting for the Asian Games, explore historic pottery streets, admire giant maneki-neko (lucky cats), meet local artisans, and learn why this region remains one of Japan’s leading centres of ceramic craftsmanship.
→ Discover the pottery traditions and make your own pottery artwork with our Tokoname Tour
Experience Nagoya After Dark
As the competitions end, Nagoya comes alive.
Explore the city’s lively izakaya culture, taste locally brewed sake, and enjoy an evening discovering neighbourhood bars with a knowledgeable local guide.
It’s the perfect way to celebrate an exciting day at the Asian Games while experiencing everyday Japanese nightlife.
→ Explore Japan Sake and Izakaya bar culture with our Sake & Izakaya Tour
Enjoy Japan’s Beautiful Autumn
The 2026 Asian Games take place during one of Japan’s most beautiful seasons.
Late September and early October bring pleasant temperatures, seasonal cuisine, colourful gardens, and the first signs of autumn foliage across Central Japan. Continue your journey beyond the stadiums by visiting historic towns, peaceful gardens, and scenic countryside destinations that are especially beautiful at this time of year.
→ Here is all you need to know to enjoy Autumn in Nagoya fully
Make the Most of Your Visit to Nagoya
The Asian Games are the perfect reason to visit Nagoya, but they’re only part of the experience.
Between competitions, discover award-winning local cuisine, centuries of history, traditional culture, beautiful countryside, and the warm hospitality that makes Central Japan one of Japan’s most rewarding regions.
Whether you have a free afternoon or several extra days, our 5-star guided tours will help you experience the very best of Nagoya and Central Japan.
👉 Explore all our tours and experiences
A Sporting Celebration Across Asia
Whether you’re a lifelong sports fan or simply looking for a unique reason to visit central Japan, the 2026 Asian Games promise to be one of Nagoya’s biggest international events in decades.
For just over two weeks, the city will welcome thousands of athletes and spectators from across Asia, creating a lively atmosphere that extends far beyond the competition venues. Between events, you’ll have the chance to explore Nagoya Castle, sample local specialties like miso katsu and hitsumabushi, or venture out to destinations such as Inuyama, Toyota, and the Ise Peninsula.
With world-class sporting action, excellent public transport, and plenty to see and do, the Asian Games offer the perfect opportunity to experience Nagoya at its most exciting. Whether you’re attending a single event or spending the entire tournament following your favourite teams, September and October 2026 are set to be an unforgettable time to visit the heart of Japan.
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