Asian Games 2026 cricket schedule unveiled: India to defend titles from September 17
The cricket schedule for the Asian Games 2026 has been officially unveiled, with matches set to take place from September 17 to October 3 at Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. India, the reigning champions in both men’s and women’s cricket, will look to defend their titles during a tournament that promises high-stakes action in the T20 format across both categories.
The 2026 Asian Games, officially scheduled to run from September 19 to October 4, will see cricket competition begin nine days before the opening ceremony. The schedule was released by the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organising Committee (AINAGOC), as reported by Olympics.com.
Women’s cricket competition starts September 17
The women’s cricket tournament will kick off on September 17, with medal matches scheduled to begin from September 22. A total of eight teams will compete in the women’s event, which will feature a direct knockout format starting from the quarterfinals.
India will enter the competition as defending champions, having claimed gold at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. The women’s side will be eager to replicate their success and continue their dominance in regional cricket.
Men’s tournament begins September 24
The men’s cricket competition will commence on September 24, with medal matches scheduled from October 3. A total of 10 teams will participate in the men’s event, which is expected to feature three days of preliminary action before the knockout quarterfinals begin.
If the format mirrors that of the 2023 Asian Games, the top four seeded teams will directly advance to the quarterfinals, while the remaining six teams will compete in preliminary matches to determine the other four quarterfinalists. India, as the reigning men’s champions, will aim to defend their title with strong performances throughout the competition.
Double-header matchdays across the tournament
All matchdays during the tournament will be double-headers, with morning games scheduled to start at 9:00 AM local time (5:30 AM IST) and afternoon matches beginning at 2:00 PM in Japan (10:30 AM IST).
The tournament is expected to draw significant attention from cricket fans across Asia, as teams compete for glory in one of the continent’s premier multi-sport events.
India’s recent Asian Games success
India’s cricket teams have been dominant at the Asian Games. At the 2023 edition in Hangzhou, both the men’s and women’s teams won gold medals, showcasing their superiority in the T20 format. With the 2026 Asian Games set in Japan, India will be determined to continue their winning streak and cement their status as the region’s top cricketing nation.