India Sets Sights on Hosting 2038 Asian Games

India has officially entered the race to host the 2038 Asian Games as one of six interested nations, with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) set to declare the winning host country in 2028.

The exhilarating development highlights India’s grand vision to transform into a global sporting hub. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the opening of the 2026 Asian Games, OCA Director General Husain Al-Musallam confirmed that India submitted its formal Expression of Interest (EOI) during the OCA executive board meeting held in Sanya, China, in April. This places India in an exciting multi-nation contest alongside the Philippines, South Korea, and Mongolia, reflecting a massive surge in enthusiasm for hosting Asia’s biggest sporting spectacle.

Extensive Multi-Stage Evaluation Roadmap Ahead

The journey to securing the hosting rights involves a rigorous and thorough selection framework laid out by the continental governing body. OCA officials confirmed that a newly formed evaluation committee will begin visiting all candidate countries next year to inspect infrastructure and logistical capabilities before drafting an initial progress report.

Highlighting the high level of global interest and the structured timeline for the selection process, Husain Al-Musallam shared his optimistic perspective on the upcoming evaluation phases:

“We have received interest from India, from Philippines and from other four countries to host the Asian Games in 2038. This shows the popularity of the Asian Games.”

With 12 years remaining until the 2038 event, the OCA maintains a well-established calendar. Following the submission of the committee’s initial report next year, the OCA will narrow down the candidate field to create an official shortlist. A second round of detailed on-site visits will take place approximately nine or ten years prior to the 2038 Games, ultimately culminating in a final recommendation and official host announcement around 2028.

A Grand Strategic Blueprint for Indian Sports

India’s bid for the 2038 Asian Games fits seamlessly into a broader, highly ambitious international sports hosting strategy. The nation is actively bidding to host the prestigious 2036 Olympic Games and has already secured hosting rights for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, which will be celebrated in Ahmedabad. A successful 2038 bid would mark a joyous homecoming for the event, as India previously hosted the inaugural edition of the Asian Games in New Delhi in 1951, before welcoming athletes back for the 1982 edition.

Strong Regional Contenders and Enormous Event Scale

India faces spirited competition in its pursuit of the 2038 Games. South Korea previously expressed its intent back in 2021 with a proposed bid centering on the dual host cities of Gwangju and Daegu. The Philippines has also formally joined the process, while Mongolia has reportedly shown interest, demonstrating the widespread appeal of hosting Asia’s grandest multi-sport festival.

The magnitude of hosting the Asian Games underscores the massive prestige associated with winning the bid. The 2026 Asian Games, scheduled from September 19 to October 4, will feature around 11,000 athletes and 6,000 support staff. This follows the tremendous scale of the 2023 Hangzhou Games, which saw over 11,000 athletes compete across 40 distinct sports. With Doha locked in for the 2030 Asian Games and Riyadh awarded the 2034 edition in a joint 2020 decision, India’s bid for 2038 represents a thrilling opportunity to cement its standing as a primary global sports destination.