5 days ago
Asian Games Organizers Reassure Participants Amid Accommodation Crunch
The 2026 Asian Games will take place in Japan from September 19 to October 4.
Organizers first planned for about 15,000 athletes and officials.
The Olympic Council of Asia later listed more than 17,000 participants.
This caused worries that there would not be enough beds.
Aichi Governor Hideaki Omura first said there was not enough money or staff to organize places for everyone.
Organizers and the Olympic Council of Asia later said that all participants registered by the deadline had suitable accommodation.
Some athletes will sleep on a cruise ship, while others will use temporary huts or hotels.
Some team officials may still need to arrange their own lodging.
Organizers say the Games preparations are continuing smoothly.
Expected participation has risen from about 15,000 to more than 17,000 athletes and officials.
Aichi Governor Hideaki Omura previously said extra participants might need to arrange their own accommodation because of budget and staffing limits.
Organizers and the Olympic Council of Asia now say all participants registered by the July deadline have Games-appropriate accommodation.
The event will use the Costa Serena, temporary container-style huts, and hotels, including in Tokyo.
Organizers say registrations are closed except in exceptional circumstances, while some team officials may still arrange their own lodging.
- Who
- More than 17,000 athletes and officials, the Asian Games organizing committee, the Olympic Council of Asia, and Aichi Governor Hideaki Omura.
- What
- Organizers are addressing an accommodation crunch after expected participation rose above 15,000, while differing statements emerged about whether all participants had lodging.
- Where
- Nagoya and the wider Aichi area in Japan, with some events and accommodation in Tokyo and on the Costa Serena.
- When
- The Games are scheduled for September 19 to October 4, 2026; the accommodation statements were issued the week before the event.
- Why
- Participant numbers exceeded the original estimate, while organizers said the host-city agreement covered 15,000 people and additional funding and manpower were unavailable.
Accommodation Concerns
Organizer Reassurances
Availability of lodging
Accommodation Concerns
Hideaki Omura said there was neither enough manpower nor budget to arrange accommodation for additional participants, and earlier reports said extra athletes might need to make their own arrangements.
Organizer Reassurances
The organizing committee and the Olympic Council of Asia said all athletes and officials registered before the July Entry by Name deadline had been provided with Games-appropriate accommodation.
Participant numbers
Accommodation Concerns
The increase from about 15,000 to more than 17,000 was described as creating a shortage of rooms and limited resources.
Organizer Reassurances
Organizers said the number fluctuates daily, has not been finalized, and that no further registrations would normally be permitted after the July deadline.
Who may arrange lodging
Accommodation Concerns
The earlier warning suggested that additional athletes and officials could have to arrange their own accommodation.
Organizer Reassurances
The organizing committee said reports that it was reducing participation were untrue and clarified that certain team officials would arrange their own accommodation.
Key facts
- Event dates
- September 19 to October 4, 2026
- Host area
- Nagoya and the wider Aichi area, Japan
- Expected participation
- More than 17,000 people, listed by the Olympic Council of Asia as 11,000 athletes and 6,000 officials
- Original estimate
- About 15,000 athletes and officials
- Cruise-ship accommodation
- The Costa Serena is expected to house between 4,000 and 5,000 athletes.
- Temporary accommodation
- About 2,000 athletes and officials will stay in shipping container-style huts.
- Accommodation status
- Organizers and the Olympic Council of Asia said registered participants had Games-appropriate accommodation; some team officials may arrange their own stays.
Quotes
Olympic Council of Asia and Asian Games organising committee
The joint bodies overseeing the Asian Games and its organisation
“All the 17,000+ athletes and officials that are registered for the Asian Games before the closing of Entry by Name in July have been provided with Games-appropriate accommodation.”
deccanchronicle.com
“The final preparations are all on track and progressing smoothly ahead of what promises to be the most spectacular Asian Games held for generations.”
deccanchronicle.com
Hideaki Omura
President of the organising committee and governor of Aichi Prefecture
“If they still wish to come, they will have to make their own arrangements.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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