The Olympic Council of Asia has formally approved cricket and mixed martial arts for Asian Games 2026, set to be hosted by Aichi Prefecture and its capital Nagoya from September 19 to October 4.

The Games will feature 45 sports and disciplines and is open to all the 45 national Olympic Committees who are members of the OCA. It is the biggest sports event in Asia and it aims to foster friendship through sports and contribute to peace in the continent.

The latest news bulletin of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Organising Committee, released on April 28, introduces two events that made their debut at co-host city Jakarta-Palembang 2022 – sport climbing and breaking. It also looks at 10 of the proposed competition venues and reveals the name of the new mascot Honohon – the dragon of the Aichi-Nagoya region.

The organising committee is working to ensure a successful Games that can showcase the rich culture of Aichi-Nagoya and Japan, as well as the hospitality that has allowed the region to welcome many warlords from the Sengoku period as guests. They are also aiming to make the Games more accessible to visitors by providing a wide range of travel options and by supporting the use of public transportation and local shuttle buses to aid spectator movement. Moreover, they are working to implement measures to curb private car usage and maintain urban order around competition venues. They will also take into account the impact on local businesses and the environment.