Cambodia will host the 5th National Games from November 5–13, 2026, bringing together competitions across 32 sports and 258 events as the country prepares to host three major international sporting events in the coming years. The National Games will also be accompanied by the 3rd National Para Games, featuring 10 sports and 46 events, with competitions taking place across Phnom Penh, Kep, Kampong Chhnang and Svay Rieng.
Key Facts
Event: 5th National Games
Dates: November 5–13, 2026
National Games sports: 32
National Games events: 258
National Para Games sports: 10
National Para Games events: 46
Competition locations: Phnom Penh, Kep, Kampong Chhnang and Svay Rieng
Phnom Penh venues: 17 competition venues
Opening ceremony: November 7, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
Opening venue: National Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh
Closing ceremony: November 13, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
International events being prepared for: ASEAN University Games 2028, Asian Youth Para Games 2029 and Asian Youth Games 2031
Cambodia Uses National Games to Prepare for International Events
Cambodia is organising the 5th National Games as part of preparations to host three major international sporting events over the next five years.
Vath Chamroeun, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport and Secretary-General of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, said at a press conference on October 7 that the National Games will help Cambodia strengthen its preparations for the upcoming international competitions.
The three events Cambodia is preparing to host are:
ASEAN University Games in 2028
Asian Youth Para Games in 2029
Asian Youth Games in 2031
The National Games therefore provide an opportunity to test sporting facilities, competition organisation and athlete participation ahead of these international events.
32 Sports and 258 Events at the National Games
The 5th National Games will feature 32 sports with a total of 258 events.
The programme covers a broad range of Olympic, traditional Cambodian and other competitive sports.
The 32 sports are:
Athletics
Swimming
Badminton
Basketball
Boxing
Football
Wrestling
Table Tennis
Taekwondo WT
Tennis
Volleyball
Gymnastics
Judo
Karate
Cycling
Triathlon
Fencing
Traditional Boat Racing
Kun Khmer Boxing
Bokator
Petanque
Dance
Vovinam
Billiards
Jiu-Jitsu
Kickboxing
Soft Tennis
Taekwondo ITF
Ouk Chaktrang
Weightlifting
Hockey
Wushu
The inclusion of traditional sports such as Kun Khmer, Bokator and Ouk Chaktrang alongside international competitive disciplines gives the National Games a broad sporting programme.
National Para Games to Feature 10 Sports
The 3rd National Para Games will take place alongside the National Games programme.
It will feature 10 sports and 46 events, providing a national competition platform for athletes with disabilities.
The 10 sports are:
Para Athletics
Para Swimming
Wheelchair Basketball
Para Table Tennis
Sitting Volleyball
Para Chess
Boccia
Para Judo
Para Powerlifting
Para Badminton
The inclusion of the National Para Games provides a dedicated competitive programme for athletes with disabilities as Cambodia expands preparations for the 2029 Asian Youth Para Games.
Competitions to Take Place Across Four Provinces and Capital
The competitions will be held across four locations:
Phnom Penh
Kep province
Kampong Chhnang province
Svay Rieng province
Phnom Penh will host the largest concentration of venues, with 17 competition sites.
Holding competitions in multiple locations allows the National Games to extend beyond the capital and involve provincial sporting facilities and communities.
It also provides an opportunity to assess facilities and organisational capacity in different parts of the country ahead of future international events.
Opening Ceremony Set for November 7
Although the National Games will run from November 5 to 13, the official opening ceremony is scheduled for November 7 at 6:00 p.m.
The ceremony will take place at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh.
Prime Minister Hun Manet is scheduled to preside over the opening ceremony, which will also include a fireworks display to mark the start of the Games.
The ceremony is expected to provide the main national showcase for the sporting event.
Closing Ceremony Scheduled for November 13
The closing ceremony will take place on November 13 at 6:00 p.m., also at the National Olympic Stadium.
According to the announcement, H.E. Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, will preside as the representative of Prime Minister Hun Manet.
The ceremony will formally conclude the National Games.
A Test for Cambodia's Sporting Capacity
The National Games are more than a domestic sporting competition.
With Cambodia scheduled to host three major international events between 2028 and 2031, the 2026 Games provide a practical opportunity to assess the country's ability to organise multi-sport competitions.
This includes areas such as:
Competition scheduling
Venue management
Athlete services
Officials and technical personnel
Transportation
Event security
Opening and closing ceremonies
Para-sport organisation
Coordination among national and provincial authorities
A successful domestic event can provide experience that can be applied to larger international competitions.
Preparing for the ASEAN University Games in 2028
The first major international event identified in the preparations is the ASEAN University Games in 2028.
The event will require Cambodia to accommodate athletes and university sports delegations from across the region.
The National Games can provide experience in managing sporting venues, competition schedules and athlete services before Cambodia welcomes international university-level competitors.
Preparing for the Asian Youth Para Games in 2029
Cambodia will also host the Asian Youth Para Games in 2029.
The National Para Games component of the 2026 programme is particularly relevant to this preparation.
The 10 para-sports included in the National Para Games provide an opportunity to develop competition experience while supporting athletes with disabilities and testing the organisation of inclusive sporting events.
Preparing for the Asian Youth Games in 2031
The third major international event on Cambodia's upcoming calendar is the Asian Youth Games in 2031.
This will require a broader sporting and organisational capacity because of the scale and international nature of the event.
The 2026 National Games can therefore be viewed as an early stage in a longer preparation process extending through the end of the decade.
National Games Support Athlete Development
National-level competitions provide athletes with opportunities to compete against domestic rivals in structured events.
The 2026 Games cover a wide range of sports, allowing athletes from different disciplines to compete within a national multi-sport framework.
For younger athletes, national competition can also provide experience in tournament conditions and help develop competitive readiness.
The source does not provide information on the number of athletes participating, the number of medals or the specific qualification system for each sport.
Combining International and Cambodian Sporting Traditions
The National Games programme combines globally recognised sports with disciplines that reflect Cambodia's sporting heritage.
Sports such as athletics, swimming, football, basketball and volleyball sit alongside Kun Khmer, Bokator and Ouk Chaktrang.
This combination allows the national sporting programme to support both international competition disciplines and traditional Cambodian sports.
The inclusion of these sports also gives national competitions a distinctive Cambodian character.
What Happens Next?
The immediate focus will be the organisation of the Games from November 5 to 13, 2026.
Authorities will need to coordinate competitions across 32 sports, 258 events, four locations and 17 venues in Phnom Penh, alongside the National Para Games programme.
Beyond November, the experience gained from the event can contribute to Cambodia's preparations for the ASEAN University Games in 2028, Asian Youth Para Games in 2029 and Asian Youth Games in 2031.
Angkor Times Analysis
The 5th National Games represent an important domestic test for Cambodia's expanding role as a host of regional and Asian sporting events. The scale of the programme—32 sports and 258 events—provides an opportunity to assess how effectively Cambodia can coordinate a multi-sport competition across multiple locations.
The inclusion of 10 para-sports and 46 events in the National Para Games is particularly relevant given Cambodia's plan to host the Asian Youth Para Games in 2029. Building organisational experience in para-sports ahead of that event can help strengthen Cambodia's readiness for international competition.
The longer-term significance of the 2026 Games will ultimately depend on what lessons are carried forward. With three major international events scheduled between 2028 and 2031, Cambodia has a multi-year opportunity to use domestic competitions to refine venue management, athlete services, technical operations and event coordination.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Cambodia's 5th National Games take place?
The 5th National Games will take place from November 5 to 13, 2026.
How many sports will be included?
The National Games will feature 32 sports and 258 events.
Will Cambodia also hold a National Para Games?
Yes. The 3rd National Para Games will feature 10 sports and 46 events.
Where will the National Games be held?
Competitions will take place in Phnom Penh, Kep, Kampong Chhnang and Svay Rieng. Phnom Penh will have 17 competition venues.
When is the opening ceremony?
The opening ceremony is scheduled for November 7, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh.
When is the closing ceremony?
The closing ceremony is scheduled for November 13, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., also at the National Olympic Stadium.
Which international sporting events is Cambodia preparing to host?
Cambodia is preparing to host the ASEAN University Games in 2028, Asian Youth Para Games in 2029 and Asian Youth Games in 2031.
Which traditional Cambodian sports are included?
The programme includes Kun Khmer, Bokator and Ouk Chaktrang, alongside a wide range of international sports.
Sources and Further Reading
National Olympic Committee of Cambodia — information cited in the supplied report.