Asian Games 2026 live streaming, telecast: How to watch in India
Synopsis
The Asian Games 2026 kick off in Aichi-Nagoya on 19 September, and India arrives with arguably its strongest-ever squad — defending titles in cricket, kabaddi, and hockey while targeting a haul beyond the record 107 medals won at Hangzhou 2023. Sony Sports and SonyLIV have the full broadcast rights.
Key Takeaways
Asian Games 2026 opens on 19 September 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan — the 20th edition of the Games and Japan's third hosting.
Live telecast available on Sony Sports 1 and Sony Sports 5 ; regional commentary on Sony Sports 3 (Hindi) and Sony Sports 4 (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada).
Live streaming on SonyLIV via app and website.
India won a record 107 medals including 28 gold at Hangzhou 2023 and aims to surpass that tally.
India defends titles in men's and women's cricket, kabaddi , and men's hockey .
Stars to watch include PV Sindhu , Mirabai Chanu , Manu Bhaker , Lovlina Borgohain , Aman Sehrawat , and two-time shot put champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor .
The Asian Games 2026 officially gets underway in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with India targeting a better performance than its record-breaking 107-medal haul — including 28 gold — at the previous edition in Hangzhou 2023. The opening ceremony is scheduled for 19 September 2026. Indian fans can follow every moment live on television and digital platforms.
Asian Games 2026: Key Facts
This is the 20th edition of the Asian Games and the third time Japan hosts the continental showpiece, following Tokyo 1958 and Hiroshima 1994. Organised by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the Games bring together 45 countries and regions competing across 43 sports. The Games have been held once every four years since their inception in 1951 in New Delhi, when 489 athletes from 11 countries took part — a far cry from today's continental spectacle.
Where to Watch: TV Channels in India
The live telecast of the Asian Games 2026 will be available on Sony Sports 1 and Sony Sports 5 in India. Regional-language coverage is also available: Sony Sports 3 will broadcast in Hindi, while Sony Sports 4 will carry commentary in Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada.
Live Streaming Details
Viewers who prefer digital platforms can catch all the action via SonyLIV, available through its app and website. The platform will carry live streams across events throughout the Games.
India's Key Medal Prospects
India heads to Aichi-Nagoya as defending champions in men's and women's cricket and kabaddi, with the men's hockey team also returning as reigning champions. Shuttler PV Sindhu will spearhead the badminton challenge, while weightlifter Mirabai Chanu leads the contingent on the platform. Shooter Manu Bhaker, wrestler Aman Sehrawat, and boxer Lovlina Borgohain are among other high-profile names to watch.
Athletics fields over 75 Indian track and field athletes, with Gulveer Singh, Tejaswin Shankar, Murali Sreeshankar, Jyothi Yarraji, and Parul Chaudhary among the leading medal prospects. Shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor arrives in Japan as a two-time defending champion in his discipline. Olympic quotas are also on offer in archery, sailing, squash, surfing, and tennis, adding further competitive incentive for Indian athletes.
With individual stars in form and team titles to defend, India's campaign at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 is shaping up to be one of its most watched and anticipated in Asian Games history.
Point of View
But the bigger story is what India is carrying into Aichi-Nagoya — not just expectation, but structural depth. Hangzhou's 107-medal tally was a generational leap; sustaining or surpassing it requires team sports to retain their crowns and individual athletes to peak on schedule. With Olympic quotas available in five disciplines, the Games also serve as a qualifying tournament disguised as a continental showcase — something that tends to sharpen competitive edges. The real test for Indian sport is whether Hangzhou was a ceiling or a floor.
NationPress
17 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch the Asian Games 2026 live in India?
The Asian Games 2026 will be telecast live on Sony Sports 1 and Sony Sports 5 in India, with regional commentary on Sony Sports 3 (Hindi) and Sony Sports 4 (Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada). Live streaming is available on the SonyLIV app and website.
When does the Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony take place?
The Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony is scheduled for 19 September 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. This is the 20th edition of the Games.
How did India perform at the last Asian Games?
India won a record 107 medals, including 28 gold, at the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games — the country's best-ever haul at the continental showpiece. India is aiming to surpass that total at Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
Which Indian athletes are the top medal contenders at Asian Games 2026?
PV Sindhu leads the badminton contingent, while Mirabai Chanu heads weightlifting. Manu Bhaker (shooting), Aman Sehrawat (wrestling), Lovlina Borgohain (boxing), and Tajinderpal Singh Toor — a two-time defending champion in shot put — are among the leading medal prospects. Over 75 athletes feature in track and field.
Which sports is India defending a title in at Asian Games 2026?
India enters Aichi-Nagoya 2026 as the defending champion in men's cricket, women's cricket, men's kabaddi, women's kabaddi, and men's hockey — making it one of the country's most title-laden Games squads in recent memory.
