1 Rivalry, 2 Blockbusters: India-Pak Cricket Final, Hockey Semi’s Become Most-Watched Ever In Asian Games History

The India-Pakistan rivalry delivered two of the biggest television blockbusters in Asian Games history, with their men’s cricket final and hockey semifinal emerging as the most-watched matches ever at the continental multi-sport event, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) said on Sunday.

OCA Coordination Committee President Tayyab Ikram said the India-Pakistan cricket final on Saturday recorded the biggest viewership ever for an Asian Games match, while their hockey semifinal two days earlier had also become the most-watched match in Games history. The OCA did not release the actual viewership figures or reveal which of the two contests attracted the larger audience.

The cricket final saw India beat Pakistan by 19 runs to win the gold medal, adding another memorable chapter to one of sport’s biggest rivalries. In hockey, India edged Pakistan 4-3 in a thrilling semifinal at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara before defeating Malaysia in the final to claim the gold.

The huge audiences came alongside a record-breaking edition on the field. OCA Director General Husain Al-Musallam said Aichi-Nagoya witnessed 54 world records, 11 junior world records, 89 Asian records and 212 Asian Games records.

Al-Musallam said such performances showed that athletes had been provided with the right conditions to compete at their best, stressing that good rest, food and transportation were essential to high-level performance.

His assessment came despite criticism over accommodation and transport arrangements during the Games. Organisers chose not to build a traditional Athletes’ Village, instead using hotels, temporary wooden containers and a cruise ship to accommodate around 17,000 athletes and officials. The cost-cutting approach led to complaints over cramped accommodation and logistical difficulties.

Ikram acknowledged that the Games faced operational challenges but defended the alternative model, saying the organisers were trying to create a more sustainable approach without leaving behind expensive facilities with little use after the event.

The OCA also said its marketing and sponsorship revenues were 19 per cent higher than at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, citing strong confidence from sponsors, broadcasters and digital platforms.

Ikram further said Aichi-Nagoya’s model of spreading venues across different prefectures could offer lessons for future mega-events, including the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, which is considering a multi-hub approach.

Despite the logistical controversies, the OCA maintained that Aichi-Nagoya had demonstrated that major sporting events could be staged more economically while still delivering a strong experience for athletes and fans.