Asian Games 2026 Live Streaming India: How and Where to Watch on September 19, Full Schedule and Opening Ceremony
Asian Games 2026 Live Streaming India: The wait is finally over. The 20th Asian Games officially begin in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday, September 19, with the opening ceremony set to mark the start of one of Asia’s biggest sporting events. For Indian sports fans, there is plenty to look forward to, from shooting and athletics to cricket, hockey, kabaddi, badminton and wrestling.
Although the opening ceremony takes place on September 19, several competitions have already started ahead of the official ceremony. India’s campaign has also begun in some sports, with Quimcy Joaquim Dsouza representing the country in teqball.
So, if you are wondering where to watch Asian Games 2026 live in India, which TV channels will show the action and what India’s schedule looks like on September 19, here is everything you need to know.
Asian Games 2026 Live Streaming India: Where to Watch?
Indian viewers can watch the Asian Games 2026 live streaming on SonyLIV, including the opening ceremony and sporting events. Sony Sports Network will also provide television coverage in India. The opening ceremony is scheduled for 2:30 PM IST on September 19.
On television, the opening ceremony will be available through Sony Sports channels, with coverage also offered in regional languages. Online viewers can follow the ceremony and available live events through the SonyLIV app and website.
The opening ceremony will be held at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, beginning at 6:00 PM local time in Japan, which is 2:30 PM in India. The ceremony will include the Parade of Nations, cultural performances, the athletes’ oath and the lighting of the Asian Games cauldron.
That means Indian fans do not have to stay up late to watch the opening ceremony. The main celebration falls comfortably in the afternoon in India.
Asian Games 2026: India’s September 19 Schedule
India does not have a packed competition schedule on September 19 because several events are being played on different days. However, one Indian athlete will be in action before the opening ceremony.
6:30 AM IST – Teqball Women’s Singles Semifinal
India’s Quimcy Joaquim Dsouza will face Indonesia’s Sumaya in the women’s singles semifinal. Dsouza had already made an impressive start to her Asian Games campaign, including a win over Japan’s top seed Yuina Sakamoto before progressing to the semifinal stage.
Teqball is one of the newer sports attracting attention at the Asian Games. It combines elements of football and table tennis and is played on a curved table. Instead of using paddles, players use different parts of their body to control and return the ball.
For Indian viewers, the Dsouza match is the main competitive event to watch on September 19 before the opening ceremony.
2:30 PM IST – Asian Games 2026 Opening Ceremony
The big event of the day is the opening ceremony in Nagoya. India’s contingent will march into the stadium along with athletes from across Asia.
While the ceremony itself is the major attraction, Indian fans will have an additional reason to tune in because Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat are set to lead the Indian contingent as flag-bearers.
Pawan Sehrawat Replaces Tajinderpal Singh Toor
There was a late twist in India’s opening ceremony plans.
Initially, Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and two-time Asian Games shot put champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor were announced as India’s flag-bearers. However, Toor was replaced by kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat shortly before the ceremony.
The Indian Olympic Association cited a technical issue connected with the ceremonial arrangements. Reuters reported that Toor’s official ceremonial kit had not reached Japan in time, forcing the last-minute change.
Manu Bhaker will continue as the women’s flag-bearer, while Sehrawat will carry the Indian flag alongside her.
Sehrawat is also an important member of India’s kabaddi setup and was part of the gold-medal-winning Indian team at the previous Asian Games.
Toor, meanwhile, remains part of India’s competition campaign and will be targeting another strong performance in the men’s shot put.
India’s Big Asian Games Mission
India enters the Aichi-Nagoya Games after producing its best-ever medal haul at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou.
At the Hangzhou Asian Games, officially the 2022 Asian Games but held in 2023, India won 107 medals, including 28 gold medals. It was the first time India crossed the 100-medal mark at the Asian Games.
The Indian contingent for Aichi-Nagoya includes 503 athletes, according to the latest reports, with the final squad growing from the initially announced number after additional entries.
There are several familiar names in the Indian squad. Manu Bhaker, PV Sindhu, Mirabai Chanu, Aman Sehrawat and Lovlina Borgohain are among the athletes who will attract significant attention during the Games.
Cricket, hockey and kabaddi will also be particularly important for Indian fans. India enters the Games as defending champion in several team sports, while hockey carries additional importance because the Asian Games champion earns a pathway to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
What Should Indian Fans Watch Out For?
The Asian Games are not only about medals. The Aichi-Nagoya edition also gives Indian fans an opportunity to watch established stars alongside athletes trying to make their breakthrough on the continental stage.
Sports such as athletics, shooting, wrestling, boxing, badminton and weightlifting will be closely followed. At the same time, newer disciplines such as teqball can introduce Indian viewers to athletes and competitions they may not regularly watch.
For cricket fans, the wait will be a little longer. The men’s cricket competition begins later in the Games, with India entering at the quarter-final stage. India will be looking to defend its Asian Games title in the format.
So, September 19 is more of an opening-day celebration for Indian fans, with the intense medal action building up over the following days.
Asian Games 2026 Live: Important Timings for India
Here is the quick schedule to save:
| Event | Date | Indian Time |
|---|---|---|
| Teqball Women’s Singles Semifinal – Quimcy Dsouza | September 19 | 6:30 AM |
| Asian Games 2026 Opening Ceremony | September 19 | 2:30 PM |
| Opening Ceremony Live Streaming | SonyLIV | From 2:30 PM |
| TV Coverage | Sony Sports Network | From 2:30 PM |
The complete Asian Games schedule will run through October 4, 2026, with competitions taking place across multiple venues in Aichi-Nagoya.
For Indian sports lovers, the real action is only beginning. The coming days will bring medal battles, major team competitions, individual stars and plenty of moments that could become memorable chapters in Indian sporting history.
So, keep your SonyLIV app ready, mark the important events on your calendar and stay tuned with ROKOCRICKET for the latest Asian Games 2026 news, Indian athletes’ results, schedules, medal updates and breaking sports stories.
Which Indian athlete or sport are you most excited to watch at the Asian Games 2026? Tell us in the comments and don’t forget to subscribe to ROKOCRICKET for more sports updates.
