Esports Will be a Medal Sport at Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya; A Major Boost to Indian Gaming and Esports Ecosystem

With the inclusion of Esports as an official medal sport at the Asian Games 2022 in Hangzhou, the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organizing Committee (AINAGOC) announces that esports will be among the nine newly added medal sports for the upcoming Asian Games from 2026. 

In Asian Games 2022, Esports will debut as a Medal Sport. India will also compete in Hangzhou in four titles: DOTA 2, FIFA 22, Street Fighter V and League of Legends, which will kick off on 23 September. 

Also read: Team India To Compete At IESF Asian Qualifiers For Dota 2

The Inclusion Of Esports As A Medal Sport At The Asian Games 2026 Will Give A Boost To Indian Gaming Ecosystem: Stakeholders

In the recent "Windows of Opportunity" report by FICCI-EY, the number of Esports players across all competitive level games in India increased from 600,000 in 2021 to 1 million in 2022. The projection for 2023 is to reach 2.5 million, alongside growth in the number of international Esports teams in India from 7 to 10. 

With the announcement of Esports as a medal sport in Asian Games 2026, here is what Animesh Agarwal, Co-founder and CEO of 8Bit Creatives and S8UL Esports has to say:

"The Esports industry and its passionate community have long been working towards gaining recognition, and the recent announcement clearly indicates the significant progress made by the esports ecosystem on international platforms. The official recognition of Esports as a medal sport further enhances and elevates the standing of esports athletes, placing them on par with mainstream sports personalities. We are optimistic that in the Asian Games 2026, our team, S8ul and 8bit, will have the opportunity to participate and showcase their skills in several esports titles. Moreover, this announcement solidifies the fact that both endemic and non-endemic brands are actively seeking avenues to engage with gamers today and are enthusiastic about investing in the Esports ecosystem."

Since it is big news for the India Gaming ecosystem, here is what Lokesh Suji, the Director of the Esports Federation of India (ESFI) and the Vice President of the Asian Esports Federation (AESF), has to say about the development of esports in India:

"With this announcement, it becomes crucial for us to expedite the development of our infrastructure, education programs, training facilities, and overall awareness within the esports ecosystem. Additionally, it is imperative that we provide our athletes with top-notch equipment and resources, empowering them to deliver their best performances on international stages. We encourage the entire nation to embrace this remarkable development."

Stakeholders are excited to see the growth of the Indian Esports ecosystem and want Esports to a scale similar to traditional sports.