# Asian Games 2026 start September 19 on Sony Sports, Sony LIV

2026-09-17T16:32:10+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 2 independent outlets

The 20th Asian Games open on September 19 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with around 500 Indian athletes competing across 35 sports. Live television broadcast in India is on Sony Sports Network, while streaming is available on the Sony LIV app and website with a paid subscription. The hockey tournaments double as continental qualifiers for the LA 2028 Olympics, and Olympic quotas are also on offer in archery, sailing, squash, surfing and tennis. The Indian contingent includes stars such as PV Sindhu, Mirabai Chanu and Manu Bhaker. Cricket teams led by Harmanpreet Kaur (women) and Shreyas Iyer (men) defend their titles, as do the men's hockey and both kabaddi squads. Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra misses the Games due to an ankle injury. Sporting action began on September 10 with early rounds.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

Both sources stick to straight reporting of Asian Games 2026 logistics and India's schedule. ABP Live leads with broadcast details and Olympic qualification stakes, while The Hindu provides the fuller event-by-event calendar and names star athletes such as PV Sindhu, Mirabai Chanu, and the absent Neeraj Chopra. Neither outlet politicises the coverage. The neutral framing means the key takeaway is purely logistical: Indian fans must buy a Sony LIV subscription for live action starting September 19, and the hockey tournament carries direct 2028 Olympic qualification.

## Coverage

- news.abplive.com (neutral report) <https://news.abplive.com/sports/asian-games-2026-live-streaming-when-and-where-to-watch-indian-athletes-match-live-telecast-ist-1867135>
  Leads with broadcast and Olympic qualification facts, service-journalism style
- thehindu.com (neutral report) <https://www.thehindu.com/sport/asian-games-2026-full-india-schedule-and-events/article71479441.ece>
  Leads with full schedule, key athletes and dates, event-guide style

Tags: Aichi-Nagoya, Asian Games, India, LA 2028 Olympics, Sony LIV, Sony Sports
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