Olympic Council of Asia Reveals 11 Esports Titles for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games

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The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has officially announced the 11 esports titles that will be featured in the 20th Asian Games, set to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, in 2026. This decision, made during an Emergency Executive Board meeting on February 22, 2025, marks another milestone in the integration of esports into mainstream competitive sports.

Esports made its debut as a demonstration event at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games and was later included as an official medal event at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. Now, with its continued presence in the 2026 edition, esports is cementing its place as a key part of the Asian Games sports program.

The 11 Esports Titles for Aichi-Nagoya 2026

The OCA has curated a diverse selection of games, ensuring representation across different genres such as fighting, strategy, first-person shooters, racing, and mobile esports. The approved titles are:

Competitive Martial Arts (Team Competition) (One medal event only)

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

Breaking Down the Selection

Fighting Games Take Center Stage

For the first time, the Asian Games will introduce a Competitive Martial Arts (Team Competition) category, featuring legendary fighting games such as Street Fighter, Tekken, and King of Fighters. These games have long histories in competitive gaming and are expected to bring fast-paced, high-intensity action to the tournament.

MOBA and Strategy Games Continue to Dominate

The inclusion of League of Legends, Honor of Kings, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang highlights the continued dominance of Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games in the esports world. These titles are among the most-played games globally, attracting millions of viewers in major tournaments.

Battle Royale, Horror, and Tactical Play Get a Spot

PUBG Mobile – Asian Games Version makes a return, continuing the Battle Royale legacy from the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. Meanwhile, Identity V – Asian Games Version, a horror survival game, will bring a fresh, strategic twist to the competition.

Racing, Football, and Puzzle Games Represented

Gran Turismo 7, the only racing game on the list, is set to deliver a highly realistic driving simulation experience. eFootball Series, previously represented by the Pro Evolution Soccer franchise, maintains esports’ football gaming presence. Meanwhile, Puyo Puyo Champions, a fast-paced puzzle game, adds variety to the lineup, appealing to a different segment of the gaming audience.

The Growing Influence of Esports in the Asian Games

The inclusion of these 11 esports titles underscores the OCA’s commitment to expanding esports on an international scale. With esports continuously growing in popularity, its recognition as an official medal event ensures that top-tier players from Asia will have the opportunity to compete at the highest level.

What This Means for Esports in the Olympics

The success of esports at the Asian Games could pave the way for its future inclusion in the Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been closely monitoring esports' development, and its continued presence in the Asian Games only strengthens its case for full Olympic recognition.

Conclusion

The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games is shaping up to be another historic moment for esports. With a mix of fighting, MOBA, battle royale, strategy, and racing games, the competition is set to attract millions of viewers worldwide. As esports continues to break barriers, the Asian Games will remain a crucial platform for its growth and legitimacy in the world of sports.

Stay tuned as teams begin their road to Aichi-Nagoya 2026, where the best esports athletes in Asia will battle for gold!

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