Asian Games Volleyball 2026: Schedule, Groups & Medal Matches
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Asian Games Volleyball 2026 Schedule
India's men's team has qualified for Aichi-Nagoya and lands in Pool C alongside Qatar, Vietnam and Hong Kong, looking to build on a surprise quarter-final run at the previous Games.
Volleyball at the Asian Games 2026 runs from September 16 to October 3 across two venues in Aichi Prefecture. India's men's side is in Pool C with Qatar, Vietnam and Hong Kong, in an expanded 16-team men's draw; India's women are not part of this year's field. The squad is expected to be finalised after the AVC Men's Volleyball Cup in early September.
Building on a Breakthrough Run
Volleyball has featured at every Asian Games since 1958, and India's men arrive in Aichi-Nagoya carrying real momentum after upsetting higher-ranked sides to reach the quarter-finals last time out. With pools now drawn, here's the complete schedule, India's group, and how to watch.
Schedule Snapshot
- Preliminary rounds
- Sept 16–30, 2026
- Knockouts & finals
- Oct 2–3, 2026
- Venues
- Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gym & Park Arena Komaki
- India's group
- Men's Pool C: Qatar, Vietnam, Hong Kong
Pools, Quarter-Finals & Finals
The men's draw has grown to 16 nations for this edition, welcoming newcomers Pakistan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, the Philippines and Hong Kong, split into four pools of four at a draw held on July 23, 2026. The women's event runs in parallel with its own separate pool structure. Both tournaments follow a round-robin group stage before advancing to quarter-finals, semi-finals, a bronze-medal match and the gold-medal final.
Men's Pool C
India's men have landed in Pool C alongside Qatar, Vietnam and Hong Kong. With the top finishers from each of the four pools moving into the knockout stage, these three round-robin matches will largely determine whether India reaches the quarter-finals for a second Games running. India's women are not among the confirmed entrants in this year's field.
Squad Still to Be Finalised
India's official playing squad had not been announced at the time of writing. The final line-up is expected to be drawn largely from the group assembled for the AVC Men's Volleyball Cup, running September 4-13, 2026, which doubles as India's key preparation event ahead of the Asian Games. This section will be updated with the confirmed 12-14 player squad and captain once the Volleyball Federation of India makes its announcement.
India's Volleyball History at the Games
India's men have appeared in all but three editions of Asian Games volleyball since its 1958 introduction, opening with a bronze at those inaugural Tokyo Games and following it with India's best-ever result, silver, in 1962 — losing only to Japan in a tense five-set final round. The best recent finish came at Incheon 2014 (5th place), before India's run at the last Games in Hangzhou, where wins over higher-ranked South Korea (five sets) and Chinese Taipei (straight sets) carried the team to the quarter-finals and an eventual sixth-place finish after meeting hosts Japan — the benchmark this squad now chases at Aichi-Nagoya.
What to Watch For
India's Pool C fixtures against Qatar, Vietnam and Hong Kong look winnable on paper, putting the onus on the team to finish top two and carry that Hangzhou momentum into the knockouts. Japan, Iran, China and South Korea remain the men's favourites, while the newly expanded 16-team field adds unpredictability around India's position in the draw. Qatar and Vietnam look like India's toughest Pool C tests, with a clean sweep of Hong Kong seen as close to essential for a top-two finish. On the women's side, hosts Japan, China and Thailand are expected to lead a field India is not part of this year.
Tournament Timeline
India's Pool C matches will shape the early storyline for Indian fans; exact daily timings await the Asian Volleyball Confederation's official schedule release.
Catch Every Match Live in India
Sony Pictures Networks India holds the exclusive broadcast and streaming rights for the entire 20th Asian Games. TV coverage runs on Sony Sports Network, and every volleyball match streams live on SonyLIV. With India's Pool C games spread across the tournament's opening fortnight, checking SonyLIV's daily schedule each morning is the easiest way to catch every Indian match live.
Asian Games Volleyball 2026: Quick Answers
When does volleyball run at the Asian Games 2026?
Competition runs September 16 to October 3, from pool matches through to the gold-medal final.
Where is volleyball being played?
Matches are held at two Aichi Prefecture venues: the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium and Park Arena Komaki.
What is India's group?
India's men are in Pool C with Qatar, Vietnam and Hong Kong.
Is India's women's team playing this year?
No. Only India's men's team has qualified; the women's side is not among the confirmed nations for 2026.
How did India do at the last Asian Games?
India's men reached the quarter-finals after upset wins over South Korea and Chinese Taipei, finishing sixth. India's only Asian Games medals remain a 1962 silver and a 1958 bronze.
Where can I watch live in India?
Every match streams live on Sony Sports Network TV and the SonyLIV app.