Asian Games 2026 Rugby Sevens 1st Event – October 1
October 1 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
The Aichi–Nagoya Asian Games 2026, led by the city of Nagoya, Japan, brings back on Thursday (1 October) one of the most thrilling team sports events, the Rugby Sevens tournament. The tournament will be held from 1 October 2026 to 3 October 2026 at Nagoya, Japan’s Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium.
Rugby Sevens Asian Games 2026 – October 1 Event
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Competition | Rugby Sevens |
| Championship | Asian Games 2026 |
| Opening Day | Thursday, 1 October 2026 |
| Tournament Dates | 1–3 October 2026 |
| Venue | Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium |
| Location | Nagoya, Aichi, Japan |
| Categories | Men’s Rugby Sevens & Women’s Rugby Sevens |
| Opening Stage | Preliminary Pool Matches |
What Is Rugby Sevens at Asian Games 2026?
One of the differences between Rugby Sevens and conventional rugby union is the number of players (seven as opposed to 15). The style of the game is a very fast and open game, quickly attacking, strong tackling, and in many cases, scoring opportunities.
Rugby Sevens October 1, 2026: Competition Format
The first day will be the pool stage of the Rugby Sevens – where the countries will be playing and aspiring to make it through to the knockout round.
Men’s Rugby Sevens Format
- 12 teams will participate in the men’s competition.
- Teams will be divided into pools.
- Each team will play preliminary matches against opponents in their group.
- Results will determine rankings and qualification for the knockout stage.
Women’s Rugby Sevens Format
- 8 teams will compete in the women’s tournament.
- Teams will play pool-stage matches to secure better positions.
- The highest-ranked teams will progress toward the medal rounds.
Host Country
Thousands of athletes, officials and sports fans from around Asia are expected to visit the proud host nation of the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
Venue Information
Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, one of the best rugby stadiums in Japan, will host all the Rugby Sevens during the 2026 Asian Games.
Teams and Medal Expectations
The Rugby Sevens tournament will see the best in Asian rugby come together. The teams will not only battle for victory, but also fight for recognition in the continent and glory in the Asian Games.
The traditional powerful rugby teams are likely to feature strongly, with upsets in the pool stage being the objective for the developing.
How to Watch
Rugby Sevens fans could follow the games utilizing authoritative Asian Games broadcasters and digital streaming.
Viewers should check:
- Broadcasting Partners for the Official Games at Asian Games 2026
- Regional sports networks
- Official event streaming platforms
FAQs About Rugby Sevens Asian Games 2026
Rugby Sevens at the Asian Games 2026 will kick off when?
Rugby Sevens will get underway at the Asian Games in Japan on Thursday 1 October 2026.
What will be the host city for Rugby Sevens at the Asian Games 2026?
The games for the rugby sevens will be held in Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium in Nagoya, Japan.
How many teams will play in the Rugby Sevens?
There will be 12 men’s teams and 8 women’s teams in the tournament.
Confirmed Match Schedule (Updated)
Following the official team draw held on 23 July 2026 (AINAGOC), here are the confirmed fixtures for this date: Men’s & Women’s Group Stage – Day 1. Rugby sevens matches run continuously across the day at Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, Nagoya; exact kickoff times per match have not yet been published by AINAGOC.
| Match | Category / Stage | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| China vs Malaysia | Men – Group A | Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, Nagoya |
| Hong Kong vs Uzbekistan | Men – Group A | Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, Nagoya |
| China vs Uzbekistan | Men – Group A | Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, Nagoya |
| Hong Kong vs Malaysia | Men – Group A | Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, Nagoya |
| Thailand vs South Korea | Men – Group B | Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, Nagoya |
| Japan vs Kazakhstan | Men – Group B | Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, Nagoya |
| Thailand vs Kazakhstan | Men – Group B | Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, Nagoya |
| Japan vs South Korea | Men – Group B | Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, Nagoya |
| United Arab Emirates vs Singapore | Men – Group C | Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, Nagoya |
| Sri Lanka vs Philippines | Men – Group C | Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, Nagoya |
| United Arab Emirates vs Philippines | Men – Group C | Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, Nagoya |
| Sri Lanka vs Singapore | Men – Group C | Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, Nagoya |
| Thailand vs Kazakhstan | Women – Group A | Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, Nagoya |
| Japan vs Singapore | Women – Group A | Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, Nagoya |
| Thailand vs Singapore | Women – Group A | Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, Nagoya |
| Japan vs Kazakhstan | Women – Group A | Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, Nagoya |
| Hong Kong vs India | Women – Group B | Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, Nagoya |
| China vs Malaysia | Women – Group B | Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, Nagoya |
| Hong Kong vs Malaysia | Women – Group B | Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, Nagoya |
| China vs India | Women – Group B | Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, Nagoya |
Total matches on this date: 20. Source: Wikipedia / AINAGOC official schedule.