Asian Games 2026 Opening Ceremony: Manu Bhaker, Toor To Lead India

The Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony will take place on Saturday, September 19, officially marking the start of the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

The ceremony will be held at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Aichi-Nagoya and will feature two of India's leading athletes as flag-bearers: double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and two-time Asian Games champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor

When and where is the Asian Games 2026 Opening Ceremony?

The opening ceremony will be held on September 19 at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Aichi-Nagoya.

It is scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM local time in Japan, which is 2:30 PM IST.

The ceremony will formally open the Games, which run from September 19 to October 4.

How to watch Asian Games 2026 Opening Ceremony in India?

The ceremony will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Network channels in India.

Live streaming will be available on the SonyLIV website and app.

Who are India's flag-bearers?

Manu Bhaker and Tajinderpal Singh Toor will lead the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony.

Bhaker made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by becoming the first Indian athlete to win two medals at a single edition of the Games. She won bronze in the women's 10m air pistol before combining with Sarabjot Singh to win another bronze in the mixed team 10m air pistol event.

Toor enters the Asian Games with an equally strong record. The shot putter won gold at Jakarta 2018 and successfully defended his title at Hangzhou 2023 with a best throw of 20.36m. He will now attempt to become a three-time Asian Games champion in Aichi-Nagoya.

Both athletes are also among India's medal contenders at the Games.

India enters with a 492-athlete contingent

India will send a 492-athlete contingent to Aichi-Nagoya, looking to build on its record 107-medal haul from the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou.

Competition in several disciplines has already begun ahead of the opening ceremony. The Indian women's cricket team has started its campaign, while teqball player Quimcy Joaquim Dsouza has reached the women's singles semi-finals.

The Games will continue through October 4, with Indian athletes competing across a wide range of disciplines in the coming weeks.