OCA expands esports lineup for 2026 Aichi Nagoya Asian Games: Check out the list
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has officially expanded the esports lineup for the 2026 Aichi Nagoya Asian Games following the 93rd OCA executive board meeting, increasing the number of competitive gaming titles to 11. This marks a considerable step forward for esports after its successful medal event debut at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Esports was first featured in the Asian Games in 2018 as a demonstration sport. Its huge success resulted in its inclusion as a medal sport in 2022 with major titles such as League of Legends, Dota 2, and Street Fighter V. Esports has grown from niche entertainment to a globally recognised competitive field. The Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF) plays a crucial role in managing esports events within the Asian Games framework.
Official esports titles for the 2026 Asian Games
The approved games for the 2026 Aichi Nagoya Asian Games include:
- Street Fighter 6
- Pokémon Unite (New)
- Honor of Kings (Replacing Arena of Valor)
- League of Legends – Asian Games Version
- PUBG Mobile – Asian Games Version
- Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (New)
- Dream Three Kingdoms
- NARAKA: BLADEPOINT (New)
- Gran Turismo 7 (New)
- eFootball Series (New)
- Puyo Puyo Champions (New)
New games making their debut
Seven new titles have been introduced, including Pokémon Unite, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, NARAKA: Bladepoint, Gran Turismo 7, eFootball, and Puyo Puyo Champions. Their inclusion reflects the diverse gaming genres, from fighting and racing to MOBA and strategy.
Image Source: Pokémon UNITE
Notably, Dota 2, Hearthstone, and EA Sports FC were dropped. This decision could be influenced by licensing issues, regional popularity, or shifting esports trends. A dedicated title selection task force carefully chose the games, ensuring a broad representation of genres while considering player engagement and regional influence.
League of Legends and Dota 2 registered peak viewerships of 146,000 and 78,000, respectively (non-Chinese viewers), at the 2023 Asian Games, showcasing the massive popularity of esports. The expanded roster reinforces the legitimacy of esports as a sport.
Image Source: Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
AESF governance updates and OCA directives
The OCA has instructed the Asian Esports Federation (AESF) to update its constitution to meet good governance standards before its Elective General Assembly on 6 April 2025. If AESF fails to do so, the OCA will withdraw its recognition. Moreover, the OCA has disbanded the task force responsible for choosing the esports titles, indicating that the selection process for the Aichi Nagoya 2026 games is complete.
In 2027, the International Olympic Committee will host the inaugural edition of the Olympic Esports Games in partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation, the organisers of the Esports World Cup.
