Asian Games 2026: Doha takes over as next host after Aichi-Nagoya Games close

Asian Games 2026 Closing Ceremony: The 20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya 2026, will officially draw to a close on Sunday, October 4, bringing 16 days of sporting action across Japan to an end.

The closing ceremony will be held at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, where athletes and officials from across the continent will come together for the final celebration of the Games. The Games began on September 19 and featured athletes from 45 National Olympic Committees competing across a packed sporting programme.

Asian Games 2026 closing ceremony: Date, time and venue

The closing ceremony will take place at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, also known as Paloma Mizuho Stadium.
The main ceremony is scheduled to begin at 6 pm local time in Japan, which is 2:30 pm IST. A warm-up programme will take place before the main ceremony.

Neeru Dhanda to carry Indian flag

Double gold medallist Neeru Dhanda will be India’s flag-bearer at the closing ceremony. Dhanda enjoyed a memorable campaign in Aichi-Nagoya, winning gold in the women’s individual trap event before adding another gold in the mixed team trap competition. She will lead the Indian contingent into the closing ceremony as the Games come to an end.

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13:53 (IST) Oct 04

Asian Games 2026 Live Updates: India's standings

India concluded its Asian Games campaign with 85 medals, including 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze, to finish fourth in the overall standings.

13:40 (IST) Oct 04

Asian Games 2026 Live Updates: India’s memorable campaign

The closing ceremony will bring an end to another significant Asian Games campaign for India. Among the highlights were historic gold medals in women’s individual recurve archery and women’s golf, while the Indian men’s hockey team successfully defended its Asian Games title. The hockey gold also secured India a place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

13:40 (IST) Oct 04

Asian Games 2026 Live Updates: MVP awards to be announced

The closing ceremony will also feature the recognition of the male and female Most Valuable Players (MVPs) of Aichi-Nagoya 2026. The Olympic Council of Asia had announced that one male and one female athlete would be selected based on performances at the Games, with factors including records and gold-medal achievements taken into consideration. Each MVP will receive a US$25,000 prize.

13:19 (IST) Oct 04

Asian Games 2026 Live Updates: Neeru Dhanda to carry Indian flag

Double gold medallist Neeru Dhanda will be India’s flag-bearer at the closing ceremony. Dhanda enjoyed a memorable campaign in Aichi-Nagoya, winning gold in the women’s individual trap event before adding another gold in the mixed team trap competition. She will lead the Indian contingent into the closing ceremony as the Games come to an end.

13:19 (IST) Oct 04

Asian Games 2026 Live Updates: Who will perform?

Japanese girl group MYERA, which served as an official supporter of the Games, will headline the warm-up programme. The announced line-up also includes Masaya Kimura of INI, the Nagoya-born singer, dancer and actor, and Japanese entertainer Kayoko Okubo.

A team from Nippon Sport Science University will also feature, while the Tokugawa Ieyasu and Hattori Hanzo Ninja Corps will bring a traditional Japanese touch to the celebrations. The warm-up programme will be hosted by YO!YO!YOSUKE and Miho Horie.

13:16 (IST) Oct 04

Asian Games 2026 Live Updates: What to expect from the closing ceremony?

The ceremony will celebrate the sporting achievements of the Games while showcasing the culture and identity of Aichi and Nagoya. The organisers have built the closing ceremony around the concept “HEART BEAT Aichi-Nagoya”, with the programme designed to bring together athletes and people from across Asia through music, performances and shared sporting experiences.

13:15 (IST) Oct 04

Asian Games 2026 Live Updates: Date, time and venue

The closing ceremony will take place at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, also known as Paloma Mizuho Stadium. The main ceremony is scheduled to begin at 6 pm local time in Japan, which is 2:30 pm IST. A warm-up programme will take place before the main ceremony.

13:14 (IST) Oct 04

Asian Games 2026 Live Updates: Nagoya set for final spectacle

The 20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya 2026, will officially draw to a close on Sunday, bringing 16 days of sporting action across Japan to an end. The closing ceremony will be held at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, where athletes and officials from across the continent will come together for the final celebration of the Games. The Games began on September 19 and featured athletes from 45 National Olympic Committees competing across a packed sporting programme.

Asian Games 2026 Closing Ceremony: The Asian Games 2026 will conclude on October 4 with a closing ceremony at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium. The main ceremony will begin at 6 pm JST (2:30 pm IST), following a warm-up programme featuring Japanese performers including MYERA, Masaya Kimura and Kayoko Okubo. India’s Neeru Dhanda, a double gold medallist in shooting, will carry the Indian flag at the ceremony. The event will also feature the announcement of the men’s and women’s Most Valuable Players, with each winner set to receive US$25,000. In India, the ceremony will be available on the Sony Sports Network and SonyLIV. The closing ceremony will officially bring the curtain down on the Aichi-Nagoya Games before Doha hosts the next Asian Games in 2030.