What to Know Before the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya

Japan is hosting the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 from September 19 to October 4, marking the first time the country has held the event in 32 years. Aichi Prefecture and its capital, Nagoya, are splitting hosting duties across the region, with around 46 nations expected to send athletes. The Games span 43 sports and 70 disciplines, totaling 468 events under the motto "Imagine One Asia." It's also the first time Japan is hosting the Asian Para Games, which follow from October 18 to 24.

The ceremonial heart of the Games is Paloma Mizuho Stadium, formerly known as Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, which holds around 35,000 spectators for the opening and closing ceremonies. Beyond the stadium, competition is spread across dozens of venues throughout Aichi Prefecture, from purpose-built arenas to existing sports facilities repurposed for the occasion. Two sports, cricket and esports, are drawing outsized attention this cycle, the former for its rare Asian Games appearance and the latter for welcoming a new medal title in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.

Schedules and Venues

Competition is held across 53 venues in Aichi Prefecture, with one exception: equestrian events take place at the JRA Equestrian Park in Tokyo. Below is a snapshot of where and when some of the most-watched sports are taking place.

Most of these venues sit within an hour of central Nagoya by train, though a few, like Gamagori and Toyota, are better treated as day trips rather than quick stops between other events.

Asian Games 2026 Cricket Schedule

Cricket returns to the Asian Games for just the fourth time, and for the first time since 2023 with full International Cricket Council recognition. Every match on the Asian Games 2026 cricket schedule takes place at Kōrogi Sports Park in Nisshin, and both the men's and women's tournaments are played in T20 format.

• Women's tournament: September 17 to 22, eight teams, straight knockout starting at the quarterfinal stage
• Men's tournament: September 24 to October 3, ten teams, with India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh entering directly at the quarterfinals as seeded nations
• Defending champion: India, gold medalist in both categories at Hangzhou 2023

Because the women's tournament starts on September 17, cricket is technically underway before the Games' September 19 opening ceremony, a detail worth flagging for anyone building a full viewing calendar around the event.

MLBB Makes Its Debut in Asian Games Esports 2026

Esports competition runs from September 23 to October 2 at the Aichi International Exhibition Center in Tokoname, and this edition marks the first time Mobile Legends: Bang Bang has been included as an official medal title. The timing lines up with MLBB's tenth anniversary, giving national teams a genuine milestone to compete for rather than just another qualifier.

The confirmed esports lineup includes:

• League of Legends
• Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
• PUBG Mobile (Asian Games Version)
• Pokémon Unite
• Honor of Kings
• Identity V
• eFootball, with separate PC and mobile events
• A combined fighting game category covering Street Fighter, Tekken, and King of Fighters

National federations across Asia ran regional qualifiers earlier in the year to fill their MLBB rosters, with countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia among the region's strongest programs heading into the Games.

What to Do During Asian Games 2026 for Visitors

Visiting Nagoya during the Games means timing a trip around more than sport. The city's early autumn calendar often includes food festivals and seasonal illuminations that run alongside the competition schedule, so it's worth checking local event listings once you land.

Where Locals Eat and Shop

• Osu Shopping District: a covered arcade a short subway ride from Sakae, mixing retro electronics shops, secondhand kimono stalls, and some of the city's best street food
• Hitsumabushi: Nagoya-style grilled eel served over rice and eaten three different ways, best at a proper sit-down restaurant rather than a quick counter stop
• Ramen shops around Sakae: open late enough to catch dinner even after a night session runs long, a detail locals rely on more than any published schedule

Where to Slow Down Between Events

• Shirotori Garden: a quiet traditional landscape a few stops from downtown, popular with residents looking to unwind before an evening event
• Hisaya Odori Park and the Nagoya TV Tower area: evening light installations and outdoor seating make for an easy wind-down after a full day of matches

Getting Around Nagoya During the Games

Nagoya's subway system covers most of the venues clustered near the city center, including Mizuho Park and the areas around Sakae. Venues further out, like the shooting range in Toyota or the triathlon course in Gamagori, require a train transfer and are easier to plan as a dedicated day. Buying a prepaid transit card ahead of time saves time at ticket machines that can get busy on event days.

Best Days to Catch the Action

• Women's cricket final: September 22
• Men's cricket final: October 3
• Esports finals: October 2
• Closing ceremony: October 4

Building a trip around one or two of these marquee dates, rather than trying to catch everything, tends to make for a smoother visit.

Where to Stay in Nagoya

Sakae is the easiest home base for anyone splitting their days between venues and city sightseeing. Nagoya's downtown district puts shopping streets, restaurants, and nightlife within walking distance, and it connects to the subway network that reaches most of central Nagoya's Games-related activity. For a broader look at options across the city, hotels in Nagoya covers properties beyond Sakae as well.

Travelodge Nagoya Sakae sits about 600 meters from Hisayaodori Station, close enough to walk in a few minutes even with luggage. Staying here puts you close to the main event at Paloma Mizuho Stadium, about 45 minutes away by train, while keeping Sakae's restaurants and shops right outside the door.

Rooms at Travelodge Nagoya Sakae are built for travelers moving between venues all day, with functional layouts, blackout curtains for early starts, and in-room Wi-Fi for checking schedule updates on the go. The property also offers on-site dining and a 24-hour front desk, useful for the odd hours that come with tracking match times across different sports. Traveling with kids around the Games schedule is easier with the right setup too, and family hotels in Nagoya rounds up options suited to that kind of trip.

Book Your Stay Before the Games Fill Nagoya

With cricket starting September 17 and the closing ceremony on October 4, Nagoya's hotel rooms are likely to fill up well before the opening weekend. For frequent travelers, joining the Travelodge membership program adds another layer of value to every stay. Members can enjoy Cashback Credits of up to 5% throughout Travelodge hotels, along with early check-in and late check-out. Special offers for extra savings on stays round out the program, making it an easy way to get more out of every trip booked directly with the brand.