Nagoya, Japan, September 28, 2026: The Olympic Council of Asia has categorically refuted recent online reports that E-sports will be withdrawn from the Asian Games after the ongoing Aichi-Nagoya showpiece.
In a statement issued on Monday, September 28, OCA Director General Husain Al Musallam stated that E-sports would continue “within the Asian Games” and that the OCA would continue to support the development of e-sports in Asia.
The OCA said it has not made, or issued any announcement regarding E-sports withdrawing from the Asian Games. The statement ‘E-sports withdraws from the Asian Games’ circulating online does not align with the work arrangements of the OCA.
On September 19, 2026, the OCA signed a host city contract with Kuwait, confirming the hosting rights for the first Asian E-sports and Mind Sports Games in 2027.
OCA Director General Husain Al Musallam said: “The popularity of E-sports in Asia is a key consideration for the OCA in making the aforementioned arrangements. The establishment of the Asian E-sports and Mind Sports Games aims to provide more platforms for Asian athletes to showcase their talents and will not diminish the status of E-sports within the Asian Games system.
“The OCA will continue to support the development of E-sports in Asia and will further promote and publicise E-sports in its other sporting events,” Mr Al Musallam added.
E-sports made its debut as a demonstration event at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang and became an official medal sport at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, yielding a total of seven gold medals. Its momentum and influence in Asia continue to rise.
At the ongoing Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, E-sports competition is proceeding smoothly. There are a total of 11 events – Fighting Games, Pokémon Unite, Honor of Kings, League of Legends, PUBG MOBILE Asian Games Version, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Identity V Asian Games Version, NARAKA: BLADEPOINT, Gran Turismo 7, eFootball, and Puyo Puyo Champions.
