The 18th Asian Games, held in Jakarta and Palembang, marked the first time the Summer Asian Games were co-hosted by two cities.
Key Facts
- Dates
- 18 August – 2 September 2018
- Host cities
- Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia
- World records broken
- 6
- Asian records broken
- 18
- Asian Games records broken
- 86
- Most valuable player
- Rikako Ikee (Japan, swimming)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Games were originally awarded to Hanoi, Vietnam, but Vietnam withdrew in 2014 citing budgetary concerns, prompting the Olympic Council of Asia to reassign the event to Indonesia. Jakarta had previously hosted the Asian Games in 1962, and Palembang was added as a co-host to share the logistical burden.
The 18th Asian Games took place from 18 August to 2 September 2018 across Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia, with additional venues in Bandung and the provinces of West Java and Banten. Opening and closing ceremonies were held at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. New disciplines including 3-on-3 basketball were introduced, and esports featured as a demonstration sport.
China topped the medal tally for the tenth consecutive time. North and South Korea competed under a unified team in the opening ceremony and selected events, winning their first-ever gold medal as a unified team at a multi-sport event. A total of 6 world, 18 Asian, and 86 Asian Games records were broken, and Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee was named the most valuable player.