The women’s cricket schedule for the 2026 Asian Games has been officially announced, with the competition set to begin in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan in September. The event will be played in the T20 format as part of the multi-sport Games, giving top Asian teams a chance to compete for medals.
The women’s tournament will kick off on September 17, two days before the official opening ceremony of the Asian Games, which runs from September 19 to October 4. All matches will be held at Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi Prefecture.
India enters the competition as the defending gold medalists in women’s cricket, having won the title in the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. Eight teams are expected to compete in the women’s event, which will follow a direct knockout format beginning with the quarterfinals.
Women’s Cricket Schedule: Asian Games 2026
- September 17: Quarterfinals 1 & 2
- September 18: Quarterfinals 3 & 4
- September 20: Semifinals 1 & 2
- September 22: Bronze medal match & Gold medal final
Each matchday is expected to be arranged as a double-header, with morning and afternoon sessions. Local start times for matches will typically begin at 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM (Japan time), which translates to 5:30 AM and 10:30 AM IST for Indian viewers.
The women’s competition begins ahead of the men’s tournament, which is scheduled to start on September 24. The earlier start gives women’s teams time to focus fully on medal matches before the men’s fixtures begin.
Cricket at the Asian Games will be played entirely in the T20 format, which continues to grow in popularity across Asia. Teams from the continent’s top cricketing nations are expected to take part, with medals awarded after the final on September 22.
India’s women’s team will head into the tournament with high expectations after their strong performance in the previous edition. While exact team line-ups have not yet been finalized, India’s squad will be aiming to retain the gold medal they won two years ago.
The knockout format means teams will have no room for error, with all sides starting directly from the quarterfinal stage. This structure also ensures fewer fixtures but higher stakes in each match, adding to the intensity of the competition.
Fans across Asia can look forward to fast-paced T20 action as women’s teams compete for continental honours. With cricket integrated into the Asian Games schedule once again, the tournament is expected to be a major highlight of the 2026 Games.
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