Asian Games 2026: Japan prepares for sporting spectacle amid accommodation concerns

The Asian Games 2026 will begin in Japan on Saturday, bringing more than 17,000 athletes and officials to Nagoya and the wider Aichi prefecture for two weeks of competition, Olympic qualification and intense regional rivalry.

The 20th edition is taking place in Nagoya and across Aichi prefecture until October 4.

More than 17,000 competitors and officials are expected to attend, exceeding the organisers’ original estimate of 15,000.

That larger-than-expected turnout has created pressure on accommodation, forcing organisers to use a mix of hotels and temporary facilities. A cruise ship and wooden container units are among the unusual options being used to house participants.

Organisers have described the Games as potentially the “most spectacular for generations”, but accommodation has already become one of the major talking points before the opening ceremony.

Why are athletes staying on a cruise ship?

Between 4,000 and 5,000 athletes and officials will stay aboard the Italian cruise ship Costa Serena. The vessel normally has 571 cabins, along with seven swimming pools, eight restaurants and nine bars.

Cruise ships have previously been used to accommodate athletes at major international sporting events, but never on anything close to this scale.

The arrangement has attracted concern from some participating countries. India has even built replica container accommodation to familiarise its athletes with the conditions they could encounter during the Games.

South Korean officials have been particularly critical, describing the facilities as the “worst” accommodation they have experienced at the Games. They also complained that some of the beds were too short.

A Korean Olympic committee official told AFP that there was a “serious shortage of accommodation” just days before the Games.

Could the weather disrupt the Asian Games 2026?

Organisers insist that every participant will have a bed and are confident that Japan’s typhoon season will not disrupt the Games.

However, weather conditions have already caused problems during preparations. Record rainfall forced athletes to temporarily evacuate their accommodation last week, while rainwater also entered some competition venues.

Organisers said there was no serious damage, although more rain is forecast during the week.

Which sports will feature?

Athletes from 45 countries and territories will compete across more than 40 sports during the Games.

Traditional Olympic events such as athletics and swimming will feature alongside popular Asian sports including sepak takraw and kabaddi.

The organisers are also targeting younger audiences with sports such as eSports, breakdancing and BMX cycling. Padel and MMA will make their Asian Games debuts.

The Games will also serve as qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in seven sports,

Why is cricket one of the major attractions?

Cricket will be another major attraction, particularly with the sport set to return to the Olympic programme at Los Angeles 2028 after an absence of 128 years.

India will be represented by a team featuring teenage prospect Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, while the competition could also produce another meeting between India and Pakistan.

The two rivals could potentially face each other in the final at Nagoya’s new purpose-built cricket ground.

However, cricket preparations have also drawn attention to the wider accommodation concerns. Reports of tents being used as dressing rooms and washrooms being located some distance from the venue have left some leading teams unimpressed.