Cricket Confirmed, MMA to Make Debut For Asian Games 2026 In Japan

April 30, 2025: Cricket will make its return to the Asian Games in 2026, as confirmed by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) on Tuesday. The announcement comes as part of the sports program for the 2026 edition of the Games, which will take place in Japan, with the tournament scheduled for September-October.

Cricket, along with Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), was formally approved for inclusion at the 41st meeting of the AINAGOC Board of Directors, held on Monday, April 28, at Nagoya City Hall. The OCA revealed that the cricket matches will be played in Aichi Prefecture, though the exact venue is yet to be decided.

The decision to bring cricket back to the Asian Games is particularly significant, as it will precede the sport’s return to the Olympic stage. Cricket will be featured in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as a part of the T20 format, which has gained immense global popularity. This marks cricket’s first appearance in the Olympics since 1900, when Great Britain defeated France by 158 runs in the final of a two-team tournament held in Paris.

Cricket has been part of the Asian Games since 2010, and it became a medal sport during that edition. Bangladesh claimed the gold in the men’s competition, with Afghanistan taking the silver and Pakistan the bronze. In the 2014 Incheon Games, Sri Lanka won the gold, Afghanistan took silver, and Bangladesh earned bronze.

The 2022 edition in Hangzhou saw India dominate the men’s tournament, claiming the gold with a stellar team featuring T20 stars like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Afghanistan once again secured the silver, while Bangladesh took home the bronze. India’s women’s team also triumphed, securing gold, with Sri Lanka winning silver and Bangladesh earning bronze.

As the 2026 Asian Games approach, the inclusion of cricket is expected to generate significant interest, especially in South Asia, where the sport enjoys widespread popularity. The T20 format, set to be a highlight of the competition, will serve as a valuable platform for cricketers from across Asia to showcase their skills ahead of the 2028 Olympics.