Asian Games 2026
The Asian Games bring together athletes from across the continent in one of Asia's biggest multi-sport events. The 20th edition heads to Aichi-Nagoya, Japan in 2026, giving Team Singapore another major stage and fans at home more ways to follow, learn and get active.
Dates: 19 September–4 October 2026
Host: Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
Edition: 20th Asian Games
What Are the Asian Games?
The Asian Games are a multi-sport competition for athletes representing National Olympic Committees across Asia. Staged every four years under the Olympic Council of Asia, the Games bring together a wide range of sports and athletes from across the continent.
Aichi-Nagoya 2026 will be the 20th edition of the Games and will bring together athletes and officials from 45 Asian National Olympic Committees. For Singapore, it is another major stage for Team Singapore athletes to compete against the region's best.
For Singapore, the Games are also an opportunity to support Team Singapore athletes and discover more about the sports they represent. You don't have to be a competitive athlete to enjoy these sports. Many can be picked up recreationally, with ActiveSG offering sports guides, facilities, programmes and learning resources to help Singaporeans get started.
Asian Games Sports You Can Try in Singapore
The Asian Games bring together some of Asia's best athletes across a wide range of sports. But you don't have to be a competitive athlete to enjoy the sports you see on the big stage.
If watching the Games inspires you to pick up a racket, get on the court or try something new, there are plenty of ways to get started in Singapore. From badminton and tennis to basketball, swimming and athletics, explore these sports and find one that suits you
With ActiveSG, you can learn the basics, find places to play and discover programmes that help you stay active at your own pace.
Athletics
Athletics brings together some of the most familiar events in sport, from sprinting and distance running to jumping and throwing. It is also a great starting point if you simply want to become more active and improve your fitness.
You don't need to train like a competitive athlete to enjoy athletics. You can start with simple activities such as running, jogging or practising basic movement skills. As you become more comfortable, you can work on your speed, endurance and technique.
Whether you are working towards your first personal running goal or looking to improve your performance, ActiveSG offers athletics resources and opportunities to help you get moving.
Find out more about athletics!
Singapore Spotlight: Shanti Pereira sprinted into Singapore sporting history at the 2023 Asian Games, winning gold in the women’s 200m and silver in the 100m. Her 200m victory was Singapore’s first Asian Games athletics gold in 49 years, since Chee Swee Lee won the women’s 400m in 1974.
Badminton
Badminton is a popular racket sport that can be enjoyed casually with family and friends or played more competitively. It is also part of the Asian Games programme, making it a familiar sport for Singapore sports fans to follow.
If you're new to badminton, start with the basics. Learning how to hold the racket, serve, move around the court and control your shots can help you build confidence before moving on to more advanced techniques.
It is also a sport that can fit easily into an active lifestyle. A casual game can get you moving, while regular practice can help improve coordination, agility and stamina."
Basketball
Basketball combines movement, coordination and teamwork, making it a fun sport to play with friends or as part of a team. The Asian Games programme includes both basketball and 3x3 basketball, giving fans different formats of the sport to follow.
Getting started doesn't mean you need to know every rule or skill. Begin with the basics such as dribbling, passing, shooting and footwork. As you gain confidence, you can learn more about positioning, teamwork and how the game is played.
ActiveSG also provides basketball-related learning content and opportunities to get on court, making it easier to move from watching the sport to playing it yourself."
Singapore Spotlight: A first for Team Singapore! Singapore will make its Asian Games debut in 3x3 basketball at Aichi-Nagoya 2026, marking a new milestone for the sport on the regional stage.
Football
Football is one of the world's most popular team sports and is also part of the Asian Games programme. It is a sport that can bring people together, whether you're playing a casual game with friends, joining a team or simply getting started with the basics.
If you're new to football, begin with simple skills such as passing, ball control, dribbling and shooting. Once you are comfortable with the basics, you can start learning about positioning, teamwork and the different roles players take on during a game.
ActiveSG provides football facilities and learning resources around Singapore, including beginner-friendly guides covering basic football skills and techniques.
Singapore Spotlight: Singapore football has its own Asian Games milestones too. In 2023, the Lionesses made their Asian Games debut, adding a new chapter to Singapore’s football story on the continental stage.
Swimming
Swimming is another sport featured at the Asian Games and is a great way to stay active while building strength, endurance and water confidence. The Aichi-Nagoya 2026 programme includes swimming as part of aquatics.
You can enjoy swimming at different levels, whether you're learning the basics, improving your strokes or simply looking for a regular form of exercise. For beginners, building water confidence and learning good swimming technique are important first steps.
Once you're comfortable in the water, you can work on your breathing, strokes and endurance at your own pace"
Singapore Spotlight: Joseph Schooling enjoyed some of his biggest successes at the Asian Games. He won three individual Asian Games gold medals across the 2014 and 2018 editions, including back-to-back 100m butterfly titles. In 2018, he also won the 50m butterfly gold and helped Singapore to two relay bronzes.
Table Tennis
Table tennis is a fast-paced racket sport that can be enjoyed by people of different ages and experience levels. It is also part of the Asian Games programme, where players compete in singles, doubles and team events.
If you're new to the sport, start by getting comfortable with your racket grip, stance and basic strokes. Learning how to control the ball is more important at the beginning than trying to hit every shot with power.
As your skills improve, you can work on serving, returning shots and moving around the table. It is an easy sport to enjoy casually while still offering plenty of room to improve."
Singapore Spotlight: Singapore has enjoyed success on the Asian Games table tennis stage. At the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, Team Singapore collected three bronze medals in table tennis which is no small feat in a competition featuring many of the world's strongest table tennis nations.
Tennis
Tennis is a racket sport that combines movement, coordination and technique. It is part of the Asian Games programme, alongside soft tennis.
If you're thinking about picking up tennis, start with the fundamentals. Learning how to hold the racket, serve, rally and move around the court will give you a good foundation. You can then build your skills through regular practice and gradually develop your own style of play.
Tennis can be enjoyed at different levels, from a casual game with friends to more structured training. ActiveSG's tennis resources can help you learn more about the sport and find ways to get started in Singapore."
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport that combines movement, coordination and communication. It is a great choice if you enjoy being active with others and want a sport where teamwork is just as important as individual skill.
If you're new to volleyball, start with the basics such as passing, setting and serving. Once you're comfortable with these skills, you can learn how to position yourself on court, work with your teammates and build your game.
You can also enjoy volleyball recreationally with friends or take part in structured opportunities. ActiveSG offers volleyball facilities and Sport Interest Groups, while ActiveSG Academies & Clubs provide structured programmes for children and youths."
You don't have to be an athlete to start playing a sport. The best place to begin is with something you enjoy.
Try a racket sport (link) if you like quick games and friendly competition. Pick basketball, football or volleyball if you enjoy playing with others. If you're looking to improve your fitness, athletics and swimming are great ways to get moving.
Start small, learn the basics and enjoy the process. With ActiveSG, you can explore different sports, find facilities near you and discover programmes that make it easier to stay active.
You don't have to be an athlete to start playing a sport. The best place to begin is with something you enjoy.
Try a racket sport if you like quick games and friendly competition. Pick basketball, football or volleyball if you enjoy playing with others. If you're looking to improve your fitness, athletics and swimming are great ways to get moving.
Start small, learn the basics and enjoy the process. With ActiveSG, you can explore different sports, find facilities near you and discover programmes that make it easier to stay active.