Asian Games Host Countries List (1951 - 2038): Next Hosts, Venue Updates, Stats & All-Time Medal Records

Last Updated: Oct 5, 2026, 10:15 IST

The Olympic Council of Asia has locked in host nations through 2034. Japan takes the stage in 2026, followed by Qatar in 2030 and Saudi Arabia in 2034. Meanwhile, India has officially submitted a bid to secure the 2038 edition in Ahmedabad.

Asian Games host countries list 2026 to 2034 (Photo: Wikimedia)
Asian Games host countries list 2026 to 2034 (Photo: Wikimedia)

There will be significant improvements in the global multi-sport calendar, especially Asian Games. The fans follow the list of the official Asian Games host countries in advance as the 2026 Asian Games approaches the date of its conclusion on October 4th.

Understanding which country is the host of the Asian Games in 2026, 2030, and 2034 allows federations and players to prepare in advance.

Countries like Japan, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have already been appointed as the host countries of Asian Games from 2026 to 2034. In addition, India has bid on Ahmedabad as the Asian Games 2038 venue. The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) confirms that the evaluation of these host cities guarantees world-class facilities for the Asian athletes.

What are Next Asian Games Host Countries and Cities (2030 - 2038)

The tournament's path is set out through three host countries. First of all, Japan is organizing the 20th Asian Games in Aichi Nagoya. Then, it will be time for Qatar to host the tournament again in Doha in 2030; that city had been the host before in 2006.

Afterwards, Saudi Arabia will organize the Asian Games in 2034 in Riyadh. This is a conscious decision aimed at devesportsg sport facilities in the Gulf countries.

Edition

Year

Host City

Host Country

Event Status

20th

2026

Aichi-Nagoya

Japan

Completed

21st

2030

Doha

Qatar

Confirmed

22nd

2034

Riyadh

Saudi Arabia

Confirmed

23rd

2038

Ahmedabad (Proposed)

India

Bidding in Progress

Key Facts about Upcoming Asian Games Hosts in 2030 and 2034 

  • Asian Games 2030 (Doha, Qatar): Doha previously hosted the 15th Asian Games in 2006. The 2030 event will primarily utilise existing world class sporting venues developed for major international competitions. It also includes the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

  • Asian Games 2034 (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia): 2034 Asian Games will mark Saudi Arabia’s first time hosting the multi-sport spectacle. The 2034 Games align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative to modernise sports infrastructure and host major global sporting events.

India Formally Pitches for 2038 Asian Games Venue

Beyond 2034, there is mounting interest in the bidding for the 2038 asian games venue. India has officially expressed its desire to host the 2038 Games from Ahmedabad in Gujarat.

  • Infrastructure Push: The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave and the Veer Savarkar Complex form the heart of the project.

  • Long-term Sports Vision: Hosting the event fits inside a broader plan, alongside India's bid for the 2036 Olympic Games.

  • Decision Timeline: The OCA confirmed the final host decision for 2038 will be discussed in upcoming executive meetings, with nations like South Korea, Vietnam, and Mongolia also expressing interest.

The official documents of the government have it on record that there are plans to develop an integrated sports city in Ahmedabad, and this will benefit the sportspersons as well as any future bidding process.

Full List of Asian Games Host Countries and Cities (1951–2026)

Edition

Year

Host City

Host Country

1st

1951

New Delhi

India

2nd

1954

Manila

Philippines

3rd

1958

Tokyo

Japan

4th

1962

Jakarta

Indonesia

5th

1966

Bangkok

Thailand

6th

1970

Bangkok

Thailand

7th

1974

Tehran

Iran

8th

1978

Bangkok

Thailand

9th

1982

New Delhi

India

10th

1986

Seoul

South Korea

11th

1990

Beijing

China

12th

1994

Hiroshima

Japan

13th

1998

Bangkok

Thailand

14th

2002

Busan

South Korea

15th

2006

Doha

Qatar

16th

2010

Guangzhou

China

17th

2014

Incheon

South Korea

18th

2018

Jakarta–Palembang

Indonesia

19th

2023

Hangzhou

China

20th

2026

Aichi-Nagoya

Japan

List of All-Time Asian Games Records for General Knowledge

To provide deeper historical context, here are the major statistical benchmarks and all-time national standings in Asian Games history:

1. Which are the Top 5 Countries in All-Time Asian Games Medal Table?

China leads the overall all time medal tallies. It is followed closely by Japan and South Korea:

Rank

Nation

Gold Medals

Silver Medals

Bronze Medals

Total Medals

1

China (CHN)

1,875+

1,216+

862+

3,953+

2

Japan (JPN)

1,136+

1,171+

1,123+

3,430+

3

South Korea (KOR)

829+

781+

1,005+

2,615+

4

India (IND)

211+

276+

398+

885+

5

Iran (IRI)

205+

223+

237+

665+

2. Major Asian Games Facts and Records

  • First Host Nation: India hosted the inaugural Asian Games in New Delhi in 1951, featuring 11 participating countries across 6 sports.

  • Most Frequent Host Country: Thailand holds the record for hosting the Asian Games the most times (4 editions: 1966, 1970, 1978, and 1998, all held in Bangkok).

  • Most Successful Nation per Edition: Japan topped the medal standings in the first 8 editions (1951 to 1978). Since the 1982 New Delhi Asian Games, China has finished 1st in every single edition.

  • India's Best Performance: India achieved its highest single-edition medal haul at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou (107 medals: 28 Gold, 38 Silver, 41 Bronze).

Harshita Singh
Harshita Singh

Senior Executive - Editorial

Harshita Singh is an education and general knowledge journalist with over 5 years of experience in educational writing. Specializing in US affairs and GK, Harshita has a track record of breaking down intricate geopolitical and historical subjects into clear, digestible insights for learners. Her strong background in text analysis, coupled with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in English from the University of Delhi, helps her produce authoritative, thoroughly researched content that empowers readers to engage confidently with global current affairs. For inquiries or academic insights, you can reach out to her directly at harshita.singh@jagrannewmedia.com.

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First Published: Oct 5, 2026, 10:15 IST

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