Cricket to feature in 2026 Asian Games in Japan, OCA approval pending

Cricket fans, mark your calendars as the beloved sport is all set to make another appearance at the Asian Games, this time in Japan. The 20th edition of the Games is scheduled from September 19 to October 4, 2026, and cricket is expected to be one of the 41 sports featured. While the final stamp of approval from the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is still pending, insiders say it's almost a done deal.

“We believe it’s just a formality at this point. But until the OCA Board signs off, nothing is 100%,” a representative from the Japan Cricket Association (JCA) told Cricbuzz on April 30, ahead of a key set of meetings. Those meetings, which run from April 30 to May 2, will bring together the OCA and the Aichi-Nagoya Games Organising Committee (AINAGOC) to finalize several details, including cricket’s participation.

At a meeting held on April 28 in Nagoya City Hall, both cricket and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) were formally added to the event’s sports lineup. That news is expected to be confirmed officially during the ongoing coordination sessions.

Matches to be played in T20 format

Cricket will once again take the T20 format, fast-paced, exciting, and tailor-made for modern audiences. This aligns perfectly with its upcoming debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, a historic moment marking cricket’s return to the Olympics since its only appearance in 1900.

Looking back, India dominated the cricket competition at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, which were held in 2023 after a pandemic-related delay. The Indian men’s team, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, took home the gold, even with key players preparing for the ODI World Cup. Meanwhile, a full-strength Indian women’s team, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, also clinched gold.

The number of participating teams in Japan is still up in the air and will be finalized during this week's discussions. For reference, the last edition featured 14 men’s teams and 9 women’s teams, indicating growing interest across Asia.

According to the JCA, the cricket matches will take place somewhere in Aichi Prefecture, but the exact location is still being decided. One thing’s for sure: there’s going to be plenty of interest, especially with the T20 format’s growing popularity and the buzz around its Olympic comeback.