The 2026 Asian Games are underway in Nagoya, Japan, and if you want to watch them from the U.S., you have two main options: a virtual private network or a cricket-streaming service called Willow TV. Both approaches come with a catch.
The Asian Games Are On
Almost 20,000 athletes from nations throughout Asia come together for a single gathering, taking part in 43 separate fields of competition. Among those taking part are Alexandra Eala, the Filipino tennis player; Pan Zhanle, the Chinese Olympic champion swimmer; Carlos Yulo, the Filipino Olympic gymnast; and the Indian men’s cricket team, holders of the Twenty20 World Cup, Champions Trophy and Asia Cup titles.
The sporting events began on Sept. 19 and continue through Oct 4. Women’s tennis gets underway Sept. 27, running until Oct 3. Cricket, diving and athletics are all still part of the competition schedule for this week.
Watching Via a VPN
Several Asian broadcasters are carrying the Asian Games live on television and online via their streaming platforms. These include CCTV5 in China, RTM in Malaysia, MeWatch in Singapore and KBS and SBS in South Korea.
A virtual private network like ExpressVPN lets you watch all of those livestreams without paying. By setting your location to any of the countries above, you gain access to an Asian Games live feed online at no cost.
Willow TV Is the U.S. Option
Prime Video hosts Willow TV, and it also comes bundled with Desi-themed series and movies across SonyLIV, Jio Cinema, Simply South and more. Sling has that package on sale at $10, a limited-time offer.
While Willow is primarily recognized for its international cricket broadcasts, the service will also offer extensive live coverage of other sports, along with replays of earlier events.
Willow streams the Asian Games live on Sling and Prime Video, accessible from a phone, tablet, computer or smart TV.
The Comparison
| Service | Cost | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| VPN + Asian broadcaster (CCTV5, RTM, MeWatch, KBS, SBS) | Free | Live only, requires changing location |
| Willow TV | $10 per month | Live and replay, cricket and other sports |
What We Know About Willow
The Asian Games’ live broadcasts on Willow TV will extend beyond international cricket into other sports, while the service also keeps replays of earlier matches available for viewers.
Willow comes bundled with a collection of Desi-themed series and movies across platforms including SonyLIV, Jio Cinema, and Simply South, among others. For a limited time, Sling has that package priced at $10.
The Catch With Each Approach
To access the Asian Games streams, you must change your virtual location to a country that carries them through a free VPN route. Willow charges $10 per month for its subscription, covering both live and replay content across cricket and other sports.
What We Make of It
This piece reads like a promotion for Willow TV, presented as if it were journalism. The free option exists, but it demands passing through a virtual country first. Willow offers a more straightforward approach, even though it brings the cricket branding along with it.
The games follow the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which were held in July for athletes from nations across the British Commonwealth — countries that are currently or were formerly part of the British Empire.
The current recommendation is to select a sport, look up its schedule, and determine if $10 a month for Willow works with your viewing plan. The Asian Games continue to be in progress.
See the video the story is built around at Variety.
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