SEGA Corporation

April 2, 2026 – SEGA CORPORATION is pleased to announce that it has entered into a partnership agreement for 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026. At this event, SEGA’s action-puzzle game Puyo Puyo Champions has been selected as an official esports title, and the Japan national team candidate has now been confirmed.

20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, one of the largest multi-sport events in Asia, will be held in Japan for the first time in 32 years. Following the previous The 19th Asian Games Hangzhou, esports will once again be featured as an official medal event. The Games will include 11 disciplines across 13 titles, including the first-ever appearance of Puyo Puyo Champions.

Partnership Details

Sponsorship Rank: 20th Asian Games Official Supplier
Sponsorship Category: eSports Games
Contract Period: From the date of signing to December 31, 2026

Event Details

Period

September 19 (Sat) – October 4 (Sun), 2026

*Esports competitions will be held from September 23 to October 2, 2026

Venue

Aichi Sky Expo Hall D (Address: 5-10-1 Centrair, Tokoname, Aichi, Japan)

Japan National team Candidate for Puyo Puyo Champions has been selected!

For the esports competitions to be held at the Games, YUUKI has been selected as the Japan national team candidate for Puyo Puyo Champions.
YUUKI was recommended by the Japan eSports Union (JESU), and the final decision will be made by the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC), which holds the authority to approve the selection.

Profile

Player Name

YUUKI

Hometown

Tokyo, Japan

Age

10

Achievements

• Inter-Prefectural Esports Championship 2023 KAGOSHIMA (2023) Elementary school student division: Champion
• Inter-Prefectural Esports Championship 2024 SAGA (2024) Elementary school student division: Champion
• Puyo Puyo Global Ranking Match (2024): Champion
• Puyo Puyo Global Ranking Series 2025 (2025): Second place/Runner-up
• TAIYO LIFE INSURANCE Puyo Puyo Grand Prix Final (2025): Top 4
• Puyo Puyo Global Ranking Series SEGA Official Tournament 1 (2025): Second place/Runner-up
• Inter-Prefectural Esports Championship 2025 SHIGA (2025) Open Entry Division (open to all participants): Champion
• GigaCrysta Puyo Puyo Grand PRIX FINAL (2026): Champion
• ASIA esports EXPO 2026 (2026): Champion

Comment from YUUKI

“I am really happy that I got chosen as a candidate to represent Japan. I have already made many of my Puyo Puyo dreams come true, but my next dream is to win a gold medal at the Asian Games.”

About SEGA’s Esports-related Activities

SEGA has been actively expanding its esports initiatives since 2018, when the Puyo Puyo and Virtua Fighter series were certified as official esports titles by the Japan eSports Union (JESU). Since then, SEGA has continued to host esports tournaments featuring its IP in Japan and around the world.
The Puyo Puyo series has seen steady growth in its competitive scene, with official tournaments and a wide range of community events attracting players across a broad age range. In recent years, global interest has also increased through initiatives such as the “Puyo Puyo Global Ranking Series”, and the title continues to gain visibility as part of the international esports landscape. The Virtua Fighter series is also gaining attention as an emerging global esports title. In 2025, the series expanded onto the world stage with EVO 2025, followed by the “VIRTUA FIGHTER Open Championship” and other international esports tournaments, as well as an exhibition match at the “Esports World Cup 2025.”
SEGA is also exploring edutainment initiatives that build on the experience the company has gained through its esports activities.

About Puyo Puyo Series:

Puyo Puyo is a beloved puzzle game series that has offered 30 years of tile-matching action. The first game in the series, Puyo Puyo, launched exclusively in Japan in 1991, and was later brought overseas as an arcade game and SEGA Genesis title in 1992. The game's groundbreaking versus mode combined with its easy-to-understand gameplay and adorable characters made it an instant smash hit. Since then, the series has exploded, appearing on console, mobile platforms, and PC, and is enjoyed by fans of all ages.
As an official eSports title recognized by JESU (Japan eSports Union), Puyo Puyo has a thriving competitive scene with numerous tournaments being held. With 2026 marking the series' 35th anniversary, look forward to a chain of exciting events on the horizon!

Puyo Puyo Champions Official Website