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Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and defending shot put champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor will be India’s flag-bearers at the opening ceremony on Saturday.
Where to watch opening ceremony of Asian Games 2026. (Picture Credit: AFP)
The 2026 edition of the Asian Games will officially kick off on Saturday (September 19), with a grand opening ceremony planned in Aichi-Nagoya. According to the official update, the opening ceremony will start at 2:30 PM IST.
Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and defending shot put champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor will be India’s flag-bearers at the opening ceremony on Saturday, with a 158-member Indian contingent set to take part in it.
Bhaker made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics by becoming the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympic Games, while Toor has won gold medals in the past two editions of the Asian Games.
The selection of Bhaker and Toor as flag-bearers was on expected lines, as shooting and athletics contribute a major share of India’s total medal tally at the Asian Games. At the last edition of the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, in 2023, athletics contributed 29 medals (six gold, 14 silver and nine bronze), while shooting’s share was 22 medals (seven gold, nine silver and six bronze). India won a record 107 medals, including 28 gold, at the 2022 Asian Games.
All You Need to Know About the Opening Ceremony of Asian Games 2026
When is the opening ceremony of Asian Games 2026?
The opening ceremony of the 2026 edition of the Asian Games will take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday (September 19).
What is the start time of the opening ceremony of Asian Games 2026?
The opening ceremony of the Asian Games 2026 is scheduled to start at 2:30 PM IST (6:00 PM local time).
Which TV channels will live telecast the opening ceremony of Asian Games 2026 in India?
The opening ceremony of the 20th Asian Games 2026 will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 5, Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 3 and Sony Sports Ten 4.
How to watch the opening ceremony of Asian Games 2026 online?
Sony LIV’s app and website in India will stream the opening ceremony of the Asian Games 2026 live on Saturday from 2:30 PM IST.
Quick Answers
Ask News18The opening ceremony of the 2026 Asian Games will take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday, September 19, 2026, starting at 2:30 PM IST.
Ask News18About the Author
Harshit Bisht is a sports journalist at CNN-News18, where he has been covering cricket, football, and major sporting events from around the world since July 1, 2024. Driven by a passion for storytelli…Read More
September 18, 2026, 20:18 IST
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