That's a wrap for the Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony! The action, at least when it comes to India, begins tomorrow morning! Teqball, hockey, cricket... a couple of action-packed weeks are on the way.

Stay tuned to NDTV Sports for all the live and latest Asian Games and sports updates. Goodbye!

The Asian Games flame is carried into the arena and then lit up, truly marking the start of Aichi-Nagoya 2026. 

And looks like we'll have another violin performance, just like we did at the start!

We have another colourful song and dance performance after the conclusion of the nations' parade. A lovely expression of Japanese tradition and music!

Here are some videos and photos of India's contingent arriving at the nations' parade:

POV : You're walking out along with our flag bearers at the Opening Cermony.

The incredible moments as our contingent marches during the Opening Ceremony! As the @asiangames_2026 are officially open, here's wishing our contingent the very best on a successful games ahead.... pic.twitter.com/Kipe4elYGv

— Team India (@WeAreTeamIndia) September 19, 2026

The Asian Games 2026 is declared open by Japan's Emperor! Then, the flag of the Olympic Council of Asia is hoisted. And now, the oath-taking ceremony takes place, on behalf of all the athletes participating in the Asian Games.

Omhura Hideaki, the governor of the Aichi Perfecture, takes centre stage to addresse the athletes and the audience at the arena. He addresses the crowd in Japanese.

After him, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, the chief of the Olympic Council of Asia, gives a speech.

And finally, to end the nations' parade, Japan's contingent arrives at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium. A huge roar from the crowd to greet the home heroes.

We are getting to the final nations, as the likes of Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and India's South Asian rivals Pakistan and Sri Lanka enter the arena. 

It will be interesting to see what spectacle awaits us after the parade is over.

Eagle-eyed viewers may have noticed that India's hockey team was not present at the opening ceremony. The men's hockey team is in action tomorrow morning. They have not attended in order prevent travel time and to remain fresh for the match.

Here comes the Indian contingent! Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat lead the Indian squad out to the Paloma Mizuho Stadium. Badminton star Chirag Shetty can be spotted doing some dance moves as he enters the arena!

106 medals for India in Asian Games 2022; can that tally be exceeded in 2026?

One of, if not the strongest contingent, China make their way into the centre of the arena. They are likely going to be India's biggest competitors in several sports, such as shooting and weightlifting.

The nations' parade begins after the Japanese national anthem. Afghanistan is the first nation to take centre stage, followed by Bahrain. 

We're keeping our eyes peeled for Manu Bhaker, Pawan Sehrawat and the Indian contingent.

Shooting sensation Manu Bhaker speaks on the honour and pride of being India's flagbearer at Asian Games 2026:

VIDEO | Nagoya, Japan: Double Olympic medallist and Asian Games gold medallist shooter Manu Bhaker on being chosen as India's flag-bearer for Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony, says, "When I got to know yesterday... I had all these flashback memories of my earlier days and when I... pic.twitter.com/VejH1g2XS9

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 19, 2026

The Indian contingent is on their way to the Asian Games opening ceremony. Here's a video shared by badminton star HS Prannoy:

Ready for the 2026 Asian games Opening Ceremony pic.twitter.com/JuHPM0HMaE

— PRANNOY HS (@PRANNOYHSPRI) September 19, 2026

Seven members of Japan's defence forces bring out the Japanese flag to the centre of the arena. Two more members of the defence forces then assist in hoisting the Japanese flag. 

And now we'll have the national anthem of Japan.

A vibrant dance is the first performance of the opening ceremony, and it takes place with a veteran musician performing the violin on the background. The performers then line up to form the word 'WELCOME'!

The opening ceremony of the Asian Games 2026 is underway at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Aichi-Nagoya. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess of Japan, and the Emperor and Empress of Japan enter the arena.

Shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor, a two-time Asian Games gold medalist, was initially supposed to be India's flagbearer alongside Manu Bhaker, but was replaced last-minute. "Technical issues" was cited as the official reason by the IOA.

A PTI report suggested that Toor had to be replaced as he did not receive his official kit in time, which will force him to miss the event.

Double Olympic medalist star shooter and ace kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat will be India's flagbearers at the nations' parade during the Asian Games 2026 opening ceremony.

A very warm welcome to the live coverage of the opening ceremony of the Asian Games 2026! The event is set to begin in just a few minutes from now. Stay tuned to NDTV Sports for all the live updates!