Asian Games 2026 live telecast: Sony acquires broadcasting rights for India | Asian Games 2023

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has secured the media rights for the 20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya 2026, bringing the continental multi-sport event back to the Sony Sports Network for the fourth consecutive edition.

The Games will be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4, 2026, with live coverage available on Sony Sports Network channels and streaming platform Sony LIV.

Sony brings Asian Games back to its network

The 2026 edition marks another major multi-sport acquisition for SPNI, which said it aims to deliver extensive coverage of the Games through live broadcasts, expert analysis, and multi-language programming.

Notably, Sony’s 2026 broadcast of the Asian Games will mark its fourth consecutive edition, as it has retained the rights to the tournament since acquiring them for the first time in 2024.

Rajesh Kaul, Chief Revenue Officer and Business Head – Sports and International at Sony Pictures Networks India, said the Asian Games remains an important platform for sporting excellence and national pride.

He added that India’s record medal haul in the previous edition had significantly increased interest in multi-sport events, and the network looked forward to bringing another strong Indian campaign to audiences.

Major sports on the programme

The Asian Games remains one of the largest multi-sport events in the world, and the 2026 edition will feature 41 sports, including 32 Olympic disciplines.

Alongside athletics, swimming, badminton, hockey and wrestling, the programme will also include sports popular in Asia such as cricket, kabaddi, e-sports, sepak takraw and kurash. New additions such as mixed martial arts (MMA) and surfing are also set to feature.

For Indian fans, cricket is expected to be one of the biggest attractions, with both the men’s and women’s teams likely to compete for medals.

Asian Games 2026 full schedule

The 20th Asian Games will take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

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  Dates: September 19 to October 4, 2026
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  Opening Ceremony: September 19, 2026
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  Closing Ceremony: October 4, 2026
• 
  Duration: 16 days
• 
  Sports: 41 disciplines
• 
  Coverage in India: Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV

OCA welcomes new broadcast deal

Husain Al-Musallam, Director-General of the Olympic Council of Asia, welcomed the agreement and said it marked a new phase in distributing the Asian Games across the Indian subcontinent.

India eyes new records in Nagoya

India heads into the 2026 Games after its best-ever Asian Games performance at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where it won 107 medals — 28 gold, 38 silver and 41 bronze — to finish fourth in the standings.

With a stronger pool of athletes, growing medal prospects across multiple sports, and cricket returning to the programme, India will aim to surpass that tally and produce another record-breaking campaign in Nagoya.