Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games to feature 18 sports

The Asian Paralympic Committee (AsPC) signed the Host City Contract for the 2026 Asian Para Games in Japan with the local organising committee last week with the commitment to feature 18 Para sports.

The sports that will be part of the fifth edition of the event, which will be held in the city of Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture, are still being analyzed and will be announced in an upcoming date. 

Between 3,600 and 4,000 Para athletes and officials from 45 nations are expected to participate in the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games, which will take place between 18 and 24 October 2026. 

The signing ceremony for the Games was held online and was attended by AsPC President Majid Rashed and CEO Tarek Souei, Hideaki Ohmura, Governor of Aichi Prefecture, and Takashi Kawamura, the mayor of the city of Nagoya. 

Kazuyuki Mori, President of Japanese Para Sports Association (JPSA) and Satoshi Murate, Secretary General of Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and Asian Para Games Organizing Committee (AINAGOC) were also present.

During the ceremony, Rashed spoke about the importance of signing the Host City Contract before the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games open on 22 October 2023 in China.

“This is an important milestone for the Asian Paralympic family as we sign the host city contract for the next Games just few days ahead of the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games. This shows the commitment and dedication of our future Games organisers to provide one of the best platforms to our Para athletes.

“While we are thrilled to attend the fast-approaching Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games, we can already witness the excitement of the organisers to host the 2026 Games. The 2026 Games will be also the biggest after the Tokyo 2020 Games in the country, and we are confident that the organisers are going to deliver a spectacular Games in three years’ time.”

Leaving a legacy

On behalf of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 organising committee, Ohmura said: “A year and half have passed since our announcement of hosting the 2026 Asian Para Games in March 2022, and during that time the environment surrounding the Games has changed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Despite the difficult circumstances we were able to finish the Host City Agreement with AsPC following a lot of discussions and negotiations. Our sincere gratitude to APC President and CEO, JPSA and JPC for their kind cooperation.

“Since hosting the Asian Para Games is an important social significance in contributing the realisation of an inclusive society, it’s very important for us to prepare well and host a successful Games to leave a legacy. Today signing the Host City Contract is a major milestone and we will continue to do our best to ensure a successful Games,” Ohmura added.

Meanwhile, Kawamura, the mayor of Nagoya, added that the city will be ready for the Games in three years’ time and be able to leave a lasting legacy. The Games will “make us proud as we show the world the facility and infrastructure,” he added.

“We will continue to put our best efforts to host a great Games.” 

The organisers of Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Games will receive the flag of the Asian Paralympic Committee as the next host of the Games at the closing ceremony of the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games on 28 October.