Can Nagoya’s IG Arena end the ‘skipping’ curse?

IG Arena, a 17,000-capacity multipurpose venue in Nagoya, opened in July 2025 and is operated by AEG International. | © AIA CORPORATION

Sep 24, 2026

Growing up in Japan, Daejong Kim’s image of Nagoya matched that of many in the country.

“It’s … somewhere in between Tokyo and Osaka,” he says, recalling how the city was known primarily for its manufacturing and automotive industries. “It’s always a place you are passing by.”

Now, Kim is trying to change that reputation. He is the COO of IG Arena, a 17,000-capacity venue behind Nagoya Castle and operated by global entertainment company AEG International. It celebrated its one-year anniversary in July and is currently hosting basketball and judo events as part of the Asian Games, being held in Aichi Prefecture through Oct. 4.

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