Water Polo at Asian Games 2026: Schedule, Teams & Venue
Water polo at the Asian Games 2026 runs from 20 September to 3 October 2026 in Nagoya, Japan. The women’s tournament is played from 20 to 24 September, while the men’s tournament runs from 26 September to 3 October.
The men’s Water Polo Asian Games 2026 tournament will feature eight teams in two groups: Thailand, Kazakhstan, Japan and Hong Kong in Group A, and South Korea, Iran, Singapore and China in Group B. The women’s competition will feature China, Japan, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Thailand and Uzbekistan.
Water Polo Asian Games
Water polo, as an event, has been held at the Asian Games for many years, providing the top water sports powers of Asia a chance for glory. The sport is a blend of swimming, power, agility, and strategic moves; every game is hectic & exhausting.
At the Asian Games 2026, water polo will bring men’s and women’s teams together in Nagoya, with Japan competing in front of a home crowd and several experienced Asian teams aiming for the medals.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Water Polo at Asian Games 2026 |
| Host | Aichi-Nagoya, Japan |
| Venue | Nagoya City General Gymnasium (Rainbow Pool) |
| Location | Nagoya, Japan |
| Women’s Competition | 20–24 September 2026 |
| Men’s Competition | 26 September–3 October 2026 |
| Men’s Final | 3 October 2026 |
Water Polo Asian Games 2026 Venue
Nagoya City General Gymnasium (Rainbow Pool)
Location: Nagoya, Japan
Nagoya City General Gymnasium — better known as Nippon Gaishi Hall, with its Rainbow Pool — will host the Asian Games 2026 Water Polo tournament.
It will serve as a venue for both men’s and women’s water polo events – one of the major water-based venues at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
Water Polo Asian Games 2026 Schedule
Select a date, stage and competition to find the scheduled water polo event.
Water Polo Schedule
Men’s Water Polo Teams at Asian Games 2026
Group A
| Team | Country/Region |
| 🇹🇭 | Thailand |
| 🇰🇿 | Kazakhstan |
| 🇯🇵 | Japan |
| 🇭🇰 | Hong Kong |
Group B
| Team | Country/Region |
| 🇰🇷 | South Korea |
| 🇮🇷 | Iran |
| 🇸🇬 | Singapore |
| 🇨🇳 | China |
Women’s Water Polo Teams
Six teams are scheduled to compete in the women’s water polo tournament:
| No. | Team |
| 1 | China |
| 2 | Japan |
| 3 | Kazakhstan |
| 4 | Singapore |
| 5 | Thailand |
| 6 | Uzbekistan |
Men’s Water Polo Schedule
| Date | Day | Stage |
| 26 September 2026 | Saturday | Preliminary Round |
| 27 September 2026 | Sunday | Preliminary Round |
| 28 September 2026 | Monday | Preliminary Round |
| 29 September 2026 | Tuesday | Classification Round |
| 30 September 2026 | Wednesday | Classification Round |
| 2 October 2026 | Friday | Semi-finals |
| 3 October 2026 | Saturday | Final |
Men’s Preliminary Round
The preliminary phase begins on 26 September and continues through 28 September.
| Date | Day | Stage |
| 26 September 2026 | Saturday | Preliminary Round |
| 27 September 2026 | Sunday | Preliminary Round |
| 28 September 2026 | Monday | Preliminary Round |
The first part of the tournament, the group stage, is of the utmost significance.
Men’s Quarterfinals
Classification and crossover matches for the men will take place on:
- 29 September 2026
- 30 September 2026
These matches decide which teams progress towards the medal round.
Men’s Semi-finals
The men’s semi-finals are scheduled for:
2 October 2026
The winners advance to the gold medal match, while the losers meet for bronze.
Men’s Final
The men’s final is scheduled for:
3 October 2026
Women’s Water Polo Schedule
The women’s tournament commences on an earlier date and will run from 20th September to 24th September 2026.
| Date | Day | Stage |
| 20 September 2026 | Sunday | Preliminary Round |
| 21 September 2026 | Monday | Preliminary Round |
| 22 September 2026 | Tuesday | Preliminary Round |
| 23 September 2026 | Wednesday | Semi-final |
| 24 September 2026 | Thursday | Final |
Women’s Preliminary Round
The preliminary round for the ladies is on:
- 20 September
- 21 September
- 22 September
These are the first games in the tournament, against the six teams competing, and will help decide who goes to the medal stages.
Women’s Semi-final
The women’s semi-finals are scheduled for:
23 September 2026
The successful teams will progress toward the championship match.
Women’s Final
The women’s final is scheduled for:
24 September 2026
How to Buy Water Polo Tickets
Through the Official Aichi–Nagoya 2026 Ticket Sale
The official ticket portal is the best option when tickets are available. Our Asian Games 2026 tickets guide explains prices and sale phases, and you can also find out how to watch the Asian Games live.
Steps:
- Open the official Aichi–Nagoya 2026 ticket portal.
- Enter the ticketing queue if one is active.
- Select the available ticket category and quantity.
- Create or log in to your ticketing account if requested.
- Enter your required details and complete payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Asian Games 2026 Time for Water Polo?
Water polo at the Asian Games 2026 runs from 20 September to 3 October 2026. The dates for the women are 20–24 September, with those for men 26 September – 3 October.
Where will water polo be held?
The matches will be held at the Nagoya City General Gymnasium (Nippon Gaishi Hall) Rainbow Pool in Nagoya, Japan.
How many “men” teams are playing?
The men’s tournament features eight teams, split into two groups of four.
Which teams are in Men’s Group A?
Thailand, Kazakhstan, Japan and Hong Kong are in Group A.
Final Thoughts
Water polo at the Asian Games 2026 promises to be an important part of the Aichi-Nagoya sporting programme, with men’s and women’s teams competing for Asian Games medals in Nagoya. The women’s competition kicks off on 20–24 September while the men’s competition begins on 26 September and the men’s event runs until 3 October, offering plenty of chances for fans to catch the sport during the Games. Also see our football and basketball schedules.
It is particularly fascinating that the men’s groups will consist of Thailand, Kazakhstan, Japan and Hong Kong (Group A), and South Korea, Iran, Singapore and China (Group B).
