Several national teams have voiced strong criticism of the organization of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, highlighting significant logistical challenges affecting athletes and staff. Thailand described the event’s management as a “chaotic” situation resembling a game of “musical chairs,” while South Korea said the organizers “deserve a failing grade” due to ongoing issues.
A key source of concern has been accommodation shortages for the estimated 17,000 participants. Some athletes have reported cramped and insufficient lodging conditions. Instead of a traditional athletes’ village, organizers opted for cost-saving alternatives, including temporary container-style huts, hotels, and a cruise ship docked at Nagoya port serving as a floating hotel.
Chalitrat Chandrubeksa, deputy secretary general of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, outlined the scale of the accommodation problem. On peak days, the cruise ship was expected to provide 201 beds but only offered 170, forcing athletes to be shuffled between locations. “When athletes checked in and found their names missing from the list, they had to be placed somewhere else, and when new athletes arrived, the previous ones had to move out and look for other hotels. It’s like musical chairs,” he said.
More than 4,000 participants are currently housed on the Costa Serena cruise ship, while around 2,000 are staying in the container huts that organizers have labeled “villas.” The shortage has even forced some support staff, including Thailand’s medical team, to stay as far as 90 minutes from the competition hubs. To compensate, additional transportation had to be arranged from Tokyo to ensure athlete care, adding to logistical complexity.
Transportation delays and irregular bus services have further complicated travel to training sites and venues. Teams reported buses arriving late or not showing up at all, intensifying frustration among competitors.
South Korea’s Sports and Olympic Committee president Ryu Seung-min sharply criticized the hosting, saying such organizational failures have negatively impacted athlete performance. Speaking to a local media outlet, he said, “If I were to give them a grade, it would be an F,” and accused the local organizers of offering excuses rather than solutions.
Athletes from multiple delegations have also taken to social media to express grievances about the food quality and general management of the Games.
Organizers have acknowledged the issues but have yet to provide a comprehensive plan to resolve them swiftly. Meanwhile, participating teams continue to seek alternative accommodations independently to mitigate the impact on their athletes ahead of upcoming competitions.