Japan to Build Permanent Cricket Ground for Asian Games

Cricket will be included in the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, following a decision by the Olympic Council of Asia and local organizers. Organizers are working to repurpose a park with three baseball fields on the outskirts of Nagoya into a permanent cricket ground, aiming to create a legacy for the sport in Japan, where baseball is more popular. This approach is intended to avoid the costly and temporary solutions seen in other events, such as the $30 million T20 World Cup stadium in New York that was demolished after the tournament. The number of teams for the T20 competitions at the Asian Games has not been finalized, but more teams are expected compared to the six per gender in the Los Angeles Olympics. Cricket was previously played in the Asian Games in 2010, 2014, and 2023, featuring substantial participation from both men's and women's teams. The Asian Cricket Council and Japanese cricket administrators are actively working to secure the sport's future in Japan.