Asian Games Cricket Schedule 2026: The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has officially released the complete tournament fixtures for both the men’s and women’s T20 competitions at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Scheduled from September 17 to October 3, 2026, this multi-sport extravaganza brings elite international cricket back to East Asia.
Navigating complex tournament schedules across different time zones can be challenging for supporters tracking their national teams. This comprehensive guide delivers the full Asian Games cricket schedule 2026, breaking down group stages, direct quarter-final seedings, time-zone conversions, and venue characteristics at Paloma Mizuho Stadium.
Tournament Overview & Match Format
Cricket at the 2026 Asian Games features 20-over (T20) international matches for both men’s and women’s divisions. Organized jointly by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), all 20 fixtures will be staged at the newly repurposed Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, Japan.
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| 20th Asian Games Cricket Overview |
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| Dates: September 17 - October 3, 2026 |
| Venue: Paloma Mizuho Stadium, Nagoya, Japan |
| Format: Twenty20 International (T20I) |
| Men's Teams: 11 Nations | Women's Teams: 8 Nations |
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The top four ICC Full Member nations in Asia—India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh—receive direct entries into the quarter-final stage based on their continental T20I rankings. Remaining associate and minor nations battle through an initial group phase to secure the final knockout spots.
Key Rule Takeaway: Because India and Pakistan are placed on opposite sides of the seeded knockout bracket, an arch-rivalry clash between the two powerhouses can only happen in either the Gold Medal final or the Bronze Medal play-off on October 3.
Women’s Tournament Fixtures & Bracket Matrix
The women’s event opens the cricket program on September 17, running through September 22. Eight teams compete in a direct knockout format starting from the quarter-finals.
Women’s Quarter-Finals Schedule
| Date | Match | JST (Local) | IST (India) | PKT (Pakistan) |
| Sept 17 | Bangladesh Women vs China Women | 09:00 AM | 05:30 AM | 05:00 AM |
| Sept 17 | Pakistan Women vs Thailand Women | 02:00 PM | 10:30 AM | 10:00 AM |
| Sept 18 | Sri Lanka Women vs Malaysia Women | 09:00 AM | 05:30 AM | 05:00 AM |
| Sept 18 | India Women vs Japan Women | 02:00 PM | 10:30 AM | 10:00 AM |
Women’s Medal & Semi-Final Round
- Semi-Final 1: September 20 – 09:00 AM JST (Winner QF1 vs Winner QF4)
- Semi-Final 2: September 20 – 02:00 PM JST (Winner QF2 vs Winner QF3)
- Bronze Medal Match: September 22 – 09:00 AM JST
- Gold Medal Final: September 22 – 02:00 PM JST
Pakistan’s women’s squad opens its campaign against Thailand, aiming to reclaim continental dominance after failing to secure a medal in Hangzhou 2023. Meanwhile, defending gold-medallists India face host nation Japan in their opening fixture.
Men’s Tournament Schedule: Group Stage to Finals
The men’s tournament kicks off on September 24 with a seven-team preliminary group phase divided into two pools.
Group A: Afghanistan, Japan, Nepal
Group B: Hong Kong China, Malaysia, Oman
The winners and runners-up from Group A and Group B advance to join the four seeded giants (Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh) in the quarter-finals.
Men’s Group Stage Matches
- Afghanistan vs Japan: September 24 @ 09:00 AM JST
- Hong Kong vs Malaysia: September 24 @ 02:00 PM JST
- Hong Kong vs Oman: September 25 @ 09:00 AM JST
- Afghanistan vs Nepal: September 25 @ 02:00 PM JST
- Japan vs Nepal: September 26 @ 09:00 AM JST
- Malaysia vs Oman: September 26 @ 02:00 PM JST
Men’s Quarter-Final Knockouts
The seeded quarter-final round begins on September 28, introducing Asia’s heavyweights to the field:
- Quarter-Final 1: Pakistan vs Group B Runner-up (B2) — Sept 28 @ 09:00 AM JST
- Quarter-Final 2: India vs Group A Runner-up (A2) — Sept 28 @ 02:00 PM JST
- Quarter-Final 3: Sri Lanka vs Group A Winner (A1) — Sept 29 @ 09:00 AM JST
- Quarter-Final 4: Bangladesh vs Group B Winner (B1) — Sept 29 @ 02:00 PM JST
Men’s Semi-Finals & Medal Matches
- Semi-Final 1: October 1 @ 09:00 AM JST (Winner QF1 vs Winner QF4)
- Semi-Final 2: October 1 @ 02:00 PM JST (Winner QF2 vs Winner QF3)
- Bronze Medal Match: October 3 @ 09:00 AM JST
- Gold Medal Final: October 3 @ 02:00 PM JST
Venue Breakdown: Paloma Mizuho Stadium, Nagoya
Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya serves as the exclusive venue for all Asian Games cricket schedule 2026 matches. Originally designed as a multi-purpose athletics arena, the facility underwent extensive conversion work to install drop-in hybrid pitches and expansive boundary dimensions meeting ICC international specifications.
Pitch Conditions & Weather Impact
Late September in Nagoya brings mild autumn conditions with average daytime temperatures ranging between 20°C and 25°C.
- Surface Behavior: Synthetic turf bases surrounding drop-in clay pitches typically promote true bounce early in the day, favoring top-order stroke-makers.
- Spin Advantage: Mid-afternoon matches (02:00 PM JST) are expected to dry out under sunlight, offering substantial turn during second-innings run chases.
- Outfield Speed: High-grade sand-based sub-drainage ensures swift outfield movement, rewarding crisp timing along the ground.
Historical Context: Asian Games Cricket Honors
Cricket was introduced to the Asian Games program in 2010 (Guangzhou) and continued in 2014 (Incheon) before taking a hiatus in 2018. It returned for the 19th edition in Hangzhou (held in 2023).
| Edition | Men’s Gold | Men’s Silver | Men’s Bronze | Women’s Gold | Women’s Silver | Women’s Bronze |
| 2010 Guangzhou | Bangladesh | Afghanistan | Pakistan | Pakistan | Bangladesh | Japan |
| 2014 Incheon | Sri Lanka | Afghanistan | Bangladesh | Pakistan | Bangladesh | Sri Lanka |
| 2023 Hangzhou | India | Afghanistan | Bangladesh | India | Sri Lanka | Bangladesh |
India currently holds both the men’s and women’s gold medals from the 2023 Hangzhou Games. Pakistan’s men’s team aims to bounce back from their fourth-place finish in 2023, where they suffered a narrow six-wicket defeat against Bangladesh in the bronze-medal playoff.
Strategic Analysis: The Road to Gold
Pakistan’s Tactical Path
Pakistan enters the men’s draw as a top-seeded contender. Facing the second-ranked team from Group B in their quarter-final on September 28, Pakistan avoids meeting India early. Victory in the quarter-final sets up a potential semi-final against Bangladesh or the Group B winner on October 1.
India’s Title Defense
Defending champion India begins its campaign on September 28 against the runner-up of Group A (likely Nepal or Japan). With a deep lineup adept in short-format cricket, India remains a firm favorite to reach the Gold Medal match on October 3.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Asian Games cricket schedule 2026 begin?
The women’s tournament begins on September 17, 2026, with the quarter-final match between Bangladesh and China. The men’s competition starts with group-stage fixtures on September 24, 2026.
Where are the Asian Games 2026 cricket matches taking place?
All men’s and women’s T20 cricket matches will be played at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium located in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
Can India and Pakistan play against each other before the final?
No. Under the tournament bracket topology set by the Asian Cricket Council, seeded teams India and Pakistan are placed on opposite sides of the knockout draw. They can only face each other in either the Bronze Medal match or the Gold Medal Final on October 3.
What format is used for cricket at the Asian Games 2026?
All matches in both the men’s and women’s divisions are played under official Twenty20 International (T20I) rules recognized by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Which teams get direct entry into the quarter-finals?
The top four ranked Asian nations—India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh—receive direct quarter-final entries in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
Who won the gold medals in cricket at the previous Asian Games?
India won both the men’s and women’s gold medals at the 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China, in 2023.
The Asian Games cricket schedule 2026 sets up an intense 17-day festival of T20 cricket in Nagoya. With direct quarter-final seedings protecting the top four Asian nations, associate countries face high-stakes group battles just to earn a spot against the continent’s heavyweights.
For fans following the action across Asia, early morning starts will be the norm due to Japan Standard Time (JST). Mark your calendars for September 22 (Women’s Finals) and October 3 (Men’s Medal Matches) to catch the ultimate showdowns for continental gold.
Share this fixture matrix with fellow supporters ahead of the September 17 opening boundary.
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