With the 2026 Asian Games set to open this Saturday in Nagoya, Aichi prefecture, organizers face a series of challenges involving athlete accommodations and weather-related disruptions. The region, which secured the Games bid in 2016 with promises of a memorable event, is now addressing complaints and operational issues just days before the opening ceremony.
Athletes have reported difficulties with the housing arrangements, particularly in container-style lodgings designed to accommodate approximately 2,000 competitors and officials. These prefabricated units, located near the port of Nagoya, have been criticized for their small size and beds that are too short for taller athletes. South Korea’s basketball contingent, whose competitions have already begun, expressed concern about the inadequate sleeping spaces. Jung Jae-yong, vice-president of the Korea Basketball Association, described the situation as the worst in his experience, noting that athletes over two meters tall cannot fully extend their legs on the provided beds. South Korean player Byun Jin-hyeong posted images on social media showing leaking pipes and damp carpets inside the facility, drawing attention to substandard conditions.
The accommodations issue reflects broader logistical strains soured by rising costs and external factors. The construction of an athletes’ village intended to house 15,000 participants and officials saw budget estimates double from ¥30 billion (approximately $270 million) to ¥60 billion. As a result, about 9,000 athletes will stay in commercial hotels, while 4,000 are being housed on the Italian cruise ship Costa Serena, repurposed as floating accommodation. Meanwhile, some national teams, including India’s, prepared for the container housing by simulating similar conditions during training camps.
Despite the difficulties, organizers remain optimistic. Kazahiro Yagi, vice-secretary-general of the event’s organising committee, described the container experience as "an experience that’s difficult to come by," emphasizing that athletes will only use the facilities for rest between training and competition, minimizing the impact of limited space.
Compounding the accommodation challenges, heavy rainfall affected Nagoya recently, forcing hundreds of athletes to evacuate to a covered car park after receiving 104 millimeters of rain within an hour. The timing coincides with Japan’s late-summer typhoon season, raising concerns about further weather disruptions during the event.
The Asian Games, which draw a larger contingent of participants than the Summer Olympics, represent a significant opportunity for Aichi prefecture to gain international recognition. However, the combination of pandemic-related delays, cost overruns, and infrastructure challenges highlights the complexity of hosting a major multi-sport event in an environment still recovering from global disruptions and regional weather risks. Organizers continue to work toward delivering a successful Games despite these obstacles.