The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has officially announced 11 esports titles for the Aichi Nagoya 2026 Asian Games. The decision was made during an online Emergency Executive Board meeting on February 22, 2025.
Why it matters: Esports is growing as a competitive sport, including in major events such as the Asian Games and SEA Games. The upcoming Aichi Nagoya 2026 Asian Games will continue to recognize esports as a medal event, following its debut in Hangzhou 2022. The selection of titles reflects the popularity of competitive gaming across different genres, including fighting, strategy, and sports simulations.
The approved esports titles for Aichi Nagoya 2026 are:
- Competitive Martial Arts (Team Competition – One Medal)
- Street Fighter Series
- Tekken Series
- King of Fighters Series
- Pokémon Unite
- Honor of Kings
- League of Legends
- PUBG Mobile – Asian Games Version
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
- Identity V: Asian Games Version
- Naraka: Bladepoint
- Gran Turismo 7
- eFootball Series
- Puyo Puyo Champions
One major change in this edition is the grouping of multiple fighting games under one medal event. Unlike Hangzhou 2022, where individual fighting games had separate medals, Street Fighter, Tekken, and King of Fighters will now compete under a single category. This may affect how teams prepare, as they will need to master multiple games rather than focus on one.
The list also highlights the continued presence of mobile-based esports. Titles like Honor of Kings, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and PUBG Mobile show the dominance of mobile gaming in Asia, where smartphones are the most accessible gaming platform. Additionally, Identity V, a survival horror game, joins the lineup in an Asian Games version, which could introduce new elements tailored for the competition.
Racing and sports games are also part of the selection, with Gran Turismo 7 and eFootball Series returning. Meanwhile, Puyo Puyo Champions, a puzzle game, remains a unique entry, showcasing a different type of competitive gaming beyond action and strategy titles.
Esports has continued to gain recognition in global multi-sport competitions, but its place in traditional sporting events remains a topic of debate. While some see it as a legitimate competitive discipline, others question its inclusion alongside physical sports.
Do you think esports should be a permanent fixture in the Asian Games and other international sporting events?
