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How to watch Asian Games 2026: TV channels and live streams
Learn how to watch the Asian Games 2026 in person or from home, with country-specific TV channels, live streaming services, and free viewing options.
The 20th Asian Games 2026, also known as XX Asian Games and Aichi–Nagoya 2026, will be held from September 19 to October 4, 2026, in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, Japan. How you watch the Asian Games depends on where you are.
Broadcasting rights are sold by country, and while some broadcasters have confirmed their coverage, several major English-speaking markets have yet to announce where the Games will be shown.
This guide breaks down how to watch the Asian Games in different countries, including TV channels, live streaming, and free viewing options where available. We’ll also cover event start times in different time zones and what to do if you’re travelling abroad during the Games.
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How to watch the Asian Games 2026 in person
The 2026 Asian Games will take place from September 19 to October 4 across Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, Japan, with events held at venues throughout the region. To watch the Asian Games 2026 in person, you need to register for a supporter ID and buy tickets through the official ticket sales site. The ticket sales schedule is as follows:
| Ticket sales | Date |
|---|---|
| First-come, first-served | April 27 (Mon), 10:00 a.m. – June 19 (Fri), 11:59 p.m. JST |
| General release | July 15 (Wed), 10:00 a.m. JST – until the start time of each session |
Check the schedule and venue for your chosen sport, as there are about 54 venues and 43 sports in total. If you’re travelling to Japan for the Games, and staying a few days in Nagoya, get an eSIM for Japan to stay connected while you move between venues.
If you can’t make it to Japan, you can still follow the action of the Asian Games 2026 from home. Read on to learn how.
Asian Games 2026 schedule and start times in your time zone
Here’s a rundown of important dates and times to remember so you can catch the highlights of the Asian Games 2026.
- Opening ceremony: September 19, 2026, 6:00–8:00 p.m. JST, at Paloma Mizuho Stadium.
- Games period: September 19–October 4, with some preliminary events starting around September 10.
- Closing ceremony: October 4, 2026, 6:00–7:30 p.m. JST, at Paloma Mizuho Stadium.
The sports below are only a selection of popular events, not the full Asian Games schedule. Each sport has multiple sessions, so exact start times can vary by event, round and competition day.
Swimming
- Dates: September 20–25
- Venue: Tokyo Aquatics Centre
- First session: 10:00 a.m. JST / 9:00 p.m. ET on September 19 / 2:00 a.m. UK time / 11:00 a.m. Sydney time / 9:00 p.m. Canada ET on September 19
Badminton
- Dates: September 20–29
- Venue: Ichinomiya City General Gymnasium
- First session: 9:30 a.m. JST / 8:30 p.m. ET on September 19 / 1:30 a.m. UK time / 10:30 a.m. Sydney time / 8:30 p.m. Canada ET on September 19
Artistic gymnastics
- Dates: September 21–25
- Venue: Nagoya City General Gymnasium (Rainbow Hall)
- First session: 10:00 a.m. JST / 9:00 p.m. ET on September 20 / 2:00 a.m. UK time / 11:00 a.m. Sydney time / 9:00 p.m. Canada ET on September 20
Athletics
- Dates: September 24–29
- Venue: Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium
- First listed session: 10:00 a.m. JST / 9:00 p.m. ET on September 23 / 2:00 a.m. UK time / 11:00 a.m. Sydney time / 9:00 p.m. Canada ET on September 23
Sailing
- Dates: September 26 – October 3
- Venue: Haiyang Yacht Harbor
- First session: 11:00 a.m. JST / 10:00 p.m. ET on September 25 / 3:00 a.m. UK time / 12:00 p.m. Sydney time / 10:00 p.m. Canada ET on September 25
The times shown above are the scheduled start times for the first listed session in each sport. Please check the official schedule for the exact time of the match or competition you want to watch.
How to watch the Asian Games 2026 by country
Asian Games broadcast rights vary by country. As of writing, the following broadcasters and platforms have confirmed coverage for the Asian Games 2026.
| Country | Broadcaster | Free or paid |
|---|---|---|
| India | Sony Sports Network (TV); SonyLIV (streaming) | Paid |
| Hong Kong | i-CABLE Communications [HOY Media Network (TV); HOY OTT (streaming)] | Free |
| Singapore | Mediacorp | Free |
| South Korea | SBS | Free |
| Qatar | beIN | Paid |
| Japan | TBS Television | Free |
| Philippines | Cignal | Paid |
| Thailand | AIS PLAY | TBC* |
| US | TBC | TBC |
| UK | TBC | TBC |
| Canada | TBC | TBC |
*TBC: To be confirmed
As of now, no dedicated official broadcaster has been announced for the US, UK, Australia, or Canada. Check for updates closer to the Games, as broadcast arrangements may still be confirmed.
Can you watch the Asian Games 2026 for free?
Yes, but it depends on where you live. Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and Japan have confirmed free-to-air coverage. On the other hand, India and Qatar require paid services. The US, UK, Australia, and Canada currently have no dedicated official broadcaster, so free live coverage has not been confirmed there.
If you don’t need to watch the events live, you can follow the Asian Games for free on the official YouTube and Instagram channels. They will share clips, highlights, results, and other updates, so you can still see the biggest moments without a TV or streaming subscription. Avoid unofficial streams, as they may be unsafe or violate copyright.
Is there an official Asian Games 2026 live stream?
No, there is currently no official global live stream for the Asian Games 2026. CMG-IMP is the host broadcaster and will produce the international broadcast feed, but that coverage is distributed to broadcasters that hold rights in individual markets.
This means live coverage depends on your location and the broadcaster that holds rights there. If your country has a confirmed broadcaster, you’ll need to use its TV or streaming service to watch the Games live.
You can catch videos, highlights, and updates on official Aichi-Nagoya 2026 channels, including through Instagram and YouTube.
Which events to watch at the Asian Games 2026
With 43 sports and 469 medal events on the programme, there is plenty to watch at the Asian Games 2026. Alongside familiar Olympic sports, the Games bring together Asian disciplines, new medal sports, and esports, beyond the usual athletics and swimming.
New sports to watch
The Asian Games 2026 adds several newer sports to the programme:
- Mixed martial arts: Makes its Asian Games debut as part of the combat sports programme.
- Padel: Confirmed as a medal sport for the first time at the Asian Games.
- Teqball: A football-inspired sport played on a curved table, now an official medal sport.
- Virtual taekwondo: A new VR-based combat event approved for the 2026 Games.
- Esports: Returns after its official debut at Hangzhou 2022, with 11 disciplines and 13 titles, including Street Fighter 6, League of Legends, PUBG MOBILE, and Gran Turismo 7.
Athletes in the spotlight
The Games will feature some of Asia’s biggest sporting names, including Olympic champion swimmer Pan Zhanle; Philippine tennis star Alexandra Eala, who has made a rapid rise on the WTA Tour; and Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo, a two-time Olympic gold medalist.
Chinese swimming prodigy Yu Zidi has also drawn attention for representing China at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships at 12 years old, while Indian cricket sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became his country’s youngest-ever international cricketer.
How to watch the Asian Games 2026 from abroad
If you’re travelling during the Asian Games, you may find that your usual broadcaster only works when you’re in its home country. A hotel, airport, or cafe WiFi connection can also be unreliable, especially when watching live sports from another country.
To watch your home broadcaster while abroad, you’ll generally need a VPN to connect to your home country’s server and a fast, stable internet connection for the live stream. A travel eSIM can give you a more reliable mobile connection when local WiFi isn’t up to the job.
Stay connected and stream the Asian Games with Holafly
If you’re heading to Nagoya for the Games, an eSIM for Japan keeps you online as you move between venues, check session start times, and share results in real time. You get unlimited data at speeds up to 5G, backed by 24/7 customer support whenever you need a hand. Set it up before you leave, activate it the moment you land, and skip both the hunt for a local SIM and any worry about roaming charges.
And with Always On: 1 GB of monthly backup data, you stay covered even after your plan runs out. Keep your Holafly eSIM installed and you’ll get 1 GB that automatically refreshes every month — enough to pull up directions between venues, book a ride back to your hotel, or check the closing ceremony results on your way home, all at no extra cost.
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