The 20th Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Nagoya, Japan in 2026, have confirmed what is being described as the most expansive esports program in the event’s history. A total of 13 titles spanning PC, mobile, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5 platforms have been officially announced, marking a significant evolution in esports’ role within multi-sport competition.
Esports will once again feature as a full medal event following its demonstration debut at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games and its official medal inclusion at the 2022 Hangzhou edition. Since then, the category has steadily matured, blending national representation with competitive gaming’s established global audience.
The Olympic Council of Asia confirmed the final list on February 22, 2026.
From Demonstration Sport to Medal Contender
Esports first appeared at the 2018 Asian Games as a demonstration event, featuring titles such as League of Legends and PUBG to assess viability within a traditional multi-sport framework.
By 2022 in Hangzhou, esports had secured full medal status. The event recorded significant viewership numbers across streaming platforms and introduced key refinements, including adjustments to mobile versions for competitive integrity and the formalization of national team structures.
Regional competitions such as the SEA Games further accelerated esports’ credibility within the Asian sporting ecosystem. Titles like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang have consistently drawn millions of concurrent viewers, including peak figures exceeding 2 million during high-profile regional matchups.
The 2026 program reflects lessons learned over the past two editions, balancing competitive integrity, regional popularity, and broadcast viability.
Full Confirmed Esports Titles: Asian Games 2026
The official lineup includes the following titles:
Competitive Martial Arts (Unified Medal Event)
- Street Fighter 6 (PC)
- Tekken 8 (PC)
- King of Fighters XV (PC)
Unlike traditional fighting game tournaments, these three titles will be combined into a single medal event. Nations will need depth across multiple fighting games, rewarding versatility rather than specialization.
Team-Based Titles
- League of Legends (PC) – 5 players
- Honor of Kings (Mobile) – 5 players
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (Mobile) – 5 players
- PUBG Mobile (Asian Games Version) – 4 players
- Identity V (Asian Games Version) – 5 players
- Pokémon Unite (Mobile/Switch) – 5 players
- Naraka: Bladepoint (PC) – 4 players
Individual Titles
- Gran Turismo 7 (PS5) – 1 player
- eFootball Series (Mobile & PC) – 1 player (separate events per platform)
- Puyo Puyo Champions (PC) – 1 player
A Clear Mobile Majority
Seven of the thirteen confirmed titles are mobile-based, reflecting Asia’s dominant mobile gaming ecosystem. With over 500 million mobile players across the region, this distribution is consistent with market realities.
Honor of Kings continues to command massive domestic viewership in China, while Mobile Legends: Bang Bang remains a competitive powerhouse across Southeast Asia. The inclusion of PUBG Mobile (Asian Games Version) and Identity V (Asian Games Version) indicates a continued focus on controlled tournament builds designed to preserve competitive integrity.
One of the most notable structural decisions is the unified “Competitive Martial Arts” category. Instead of awarding separate medals for Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, and King of Fighters XV, the Asian Games will crown a single champion nation based on combined performance.
This format introduces a team dynamic into traditionally individual-centric fighting game competition and encourages broader roster depth across titles.
Strategic Refinements After Hangzhou
The 2026 program reflects several key refinements:
- Asian Games-specific builds to address integrity and standardization.
- Stronger alignment with regionally dominant titles.
- A balance between mobile-first markets and established PC esports.
- Platform diversity, including console representation via Gran Turismo 7.
The national team format continues to amplify regional rivalries, adding a layer of patriotism not always present in publisher-led circuits.
Viewership Expectations
Esports at Hangzhou 2022 attracted multi-million viewer peaks across global streaming platforms. With stronger mobile integration and increasingly competitive regional storylines, Nagoya 2026 could set new benchmarks for hours watched within the Asian Games framework.
Mobile esports continue to dominate total watch time across Asia, while fighting games and League of Legends are expected to anchor broadcast visibility.
Esports’ Growing Role in Multi-Sport Events
The 2026 Asian Games program signals a clear shift, esports is no longer an experimental addition but an established competitive category within major international sporting events.
From demonstration status in 2018 to a 13-title medal lineup in 2026, the progression reflects both institutional confidence and market demand.
As Nagoya prepares to host, esports appears set to further integrate into the broader global sporting narrative, backed by viewership, national representation, and sustained competitive structure.