Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Nagoya Asian Games Face Accommodation, Food and Transport Chaos
Athletes arriving for the Asian Games in Nagoya said many basic arrangements were not ready.
Some waited for more than six hours, and some rowers reportedly waited over 12 hours for rooms.
People said there was little food while they waited.
Some rooms were too small, damaged, or given to more than one group.
In some cases, men and women were reportedly assigned to the same room.
Travel was also difficult because some hotels were far from training venues and buses arrived late.
South Korea’s football team was taken to the wrong sports venue.
Organizers said extra sports and participants created problems beyond their original plan.
However, India’s women’s cricket team said its accommodation and check-in were satisfactory.
Athletes and coaches reported room-assignment delays ranging from more than six hours to over 12 hours, with some sleeping in assembly areas.
Teams described inadequate food, cramped or damaged rooms, duplicate assignments and cases of men and women sharing rooms.
Indian shooting staff faced late buses and journeys of up to two hours to ranges located 50–60 kilometers from their hotels.
South Korea’s football team was taken to the wrong venue, while some Philippines athletes reportedly sought Airbnb rooms.
Organizers blamed late additions and participant numbers exceeding the planned 15,000, while promising adjustments and backup accommodation.
- Who
- Athletes, coaches and officials from India, South Korea, the Philippines and other Asian Games delegations, along with the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 organizing committee.
- What
- Delegations reported accommodation delays, food shortages, transport problems, accreditation difficulties and incorrect room assignments before the Games.
- When
- During arrivals and preparations before the Asian Games officially begin on Saturday, including major disruptions on Wednesday.
- Where
- Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture, Japan, including the Costa Serena cruise ship, assembly areas, hotels, training venues and sports stadiums.
- Why
- Organizers said sports were added late and participant numbers exceeded the planned 15,000, leaving insufficient manpower, budget and accommodation.
Athletes and Delegations
Organizers and Supporters
Accommodation readiness
Athletes and Delegations
Athletes and coaches described long waits, insufficient food, cramped or leaking rooms, duplicate assignments and mixed-gender allocations; some reportedly sought alternative lodging.
Organizers and Supporters
Organizers said late additions to the sports program increased participation beyond the planned 15,000 and exceeded available manpower, budget and accommodation.
Transport and venue access
Athletes and Delegations
Indian shooting staff reported late buses and long journeys, while South Korea’s football team was taken to a baseball arena instead of its scheduled football venue.
Organizers and Supporters
Officials said they were coordinating adjustments and considering alternative arrangements, though the reports did not detail a response to every transport incident.
Overall experience
Athletes and Delegations
Several delegations described the conditions as unusually poor, with South Korea’s basketball vice president calling them the worst he had experienced.
Organizers and Supporters
India women’s cricket coach Amol Majumdar said his team’s accommodation and check-in were satisfactory, indicating that experiences differed among delegations.
- Event
- Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games
- Host location
- Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
- Planned participants
- About 15,000 athletes and officials
- Reported room delays
- More than six hours for some coaches and staff; some rowers reportedly waited more than 12 hours
- Shooting transport
- Hotels were reportedly 50–60 kilometers from the shooting range, with journeys lasting up to two hours
- Temporary accommodation
- The Costa Serena cruise ship was used instead of a traditional Games Village
- Organizers’ response
- Officials said they were coordinating adjustments and considering backup accommodation
