Asian Games 2026 Water Polo Competition – October 1
October 1 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
One of the more thrilling days of the Asian Games 2026 Water Polo Competition will be on 1st October 2026, when the competition will be at its peak for obtaining medals. The day will be at the Rainbow Pool in Nippon Gaishi Hall in Nagoya, Japan, and includes important men’s classification events, a definitive women’s round-robin match for the two teams to advance to the semifinals, and two high-stakes men’s quarter finals will determine which teams advance to the semifinals.
Water Polo Competition – October 1
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Sport | Water Polo |
| Date | Thursday, 1 October 2026 |
| Asian Games Edition | 20th Asian Games |
| Venue | Rainbow Pool, Nippon Gaishi Hall |
| City | Nagoya |
| Country | Japan |
| Competition Phase | Men’s Classification Matches, Women’s Round-Robin Match & Men’s Quarterfinals |
| Sessions | Morning & Evening |
About the Water Polo Competition
It is the pivotal moment of the Asian Games 2026 Water Polo is happening when Asian Games 1 takes place on October 1. Now, after some preliminary contests, the team is on the decisive stage where each match might offer the deciding advantage in the body of the competition.
Water Polo Match Schedule – October 1
| Local Time (JST) | Division | Tournament Stage / Match Type |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 – 10:30 | Men’s Tournament | Classification Match (Lower Tier Ranking Placement) |
| 10:45 – 12:15 | Men’s Tournament | Classification Match (Lower Tier Ranking Placement) |
| 15:00 – 16:30 | Women’s Tournament | Round-Robin Match (Important Points Match) |
| 16:45 – 18:15 | Men’s Tournament | Quarterfinal 1 |
| 18:30 – 20:00 | Men’s Tournament | Quarterfinal 2 |
Competition Format
The Asian Games 2026 Water Polo tournament has a different format for the men and women.
For the men, there are preliminary games, classification games, and knockout games. Teams who have not made it to the bracket play off in classification matches to figure out how they’re ranked, and those that did make it continue to play in the qualification matches, which are on October 1.
Host Country
The 20th Asian Games is being held in Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya City, Japan, with the participation of athletes from all over Asia.
Venue Information
The Water Polo event will take place at the Rainbow Pool in the Nippon Gaishi Hall in Nagoya City, Japan on October 1.
Teams Expected to Compete
After completing the preliminary group stage the official quarter-final fixtures and the determination of the first group stage will be determined.
Medal Implications
October 1 has major implications for the medal race in both tournaments.
But the men’s quarter final winners will advance a step closer to claiming Asian Games gold as they progress on to face the semi final.
How to Watch
The Water Polo competition will be broadcast through official Asian Games partners in the participating countries, and fans can watch the events and notations through them. Live coverage shall be in the form of 24-hour television transmissions via national television and digital television by authorized broadcasters, subject to broadcasting rights in the various regions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When is the Asian Games 2026 Water Polo competition on October 1?
The games will take place on Thursday, October 1, 2026 throughout the morning and evening.
The Water Polo matches for October will be held in what location?
For all matches, the hosts will thank you for booking your venue at the Rainbow Pool, in Nippon Gaishi Hall, Nagoya, Japan.
What are the men’s quarters?
The men’s quarterfinals are scheduled from 16:45–18:15 JST and 18:30–20:00 JST.
Confirmed Draw & Schedule Update
Following the official team draw held on 23 July 2026 (AINAGOC), this date falls under: Men’s Classification / Placement Matches, held at Nippon Gaishi Hall Rainbow Pool, Nagoya.
Men’s Group A: Thailand, Kazakhstan, Japan (hosts), Hong Kong
Men’s Group B: South Korea, Iran, Singapore, China
Women’s Round-robin Pool: China, Japan (hosts), Kazakhstan, Singapore, Thailand, Uzbekistan
Note: AINAGOC has confirmed the groups and overall competition phase for this date, but has not published the exact match-by-match pairings and times for water polo. This section will be updated once the official fixture list is released. Source: Wikipedia / AINAGOC.