The Asian Games are the continent's multi-sport event, held every four years and organised by a continental sports body that replaced the Asian Games Federation in the 1980s. The first Games were held in 1951 under the motto 'Ever Onward'. India hosted the ninth Games. Since 2018 the programme is capped at 40 sports. China has topped the medal table at every recent edition.
Key facts
- Organised by a continental sports body since the 1980s; held every four years; first Games in March 1951.
- Motto 'Ever Onward'; India has hosted twice, the second time as the ninth edition.
- Since 2018 the programme is capped at 40 sports; the previous edition had 481 finals, the most ever.
- 20th Games: Aichi-Nagoya, 19 September to 4 October 2026; China topped the table for the 12th straight time with 341 medals. (as of 23 Oct 2026)
Latest
India finished fourth at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 with 85 medals (21 gold, 27 silver, 37 bronze); the women's hockey team beat China 1-0 in the final (Lalremsiami scored), the first gold since 1982; the OCA flag was handed to Doha, host of the 2030 Games, with Riyadh to follow in 2034.
Why exams ask about it
The first host, India's medal count and rank, the next host and the hockey results are asked after every Games.