Accommodation challenges have emerged in the lead-up to the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which officially open on September 19 in Nagoya, Japan. Organisers have faced difficulties housing over 17,000 athletes and officials due to a surge in participant numbers and the absence of a dedicated Athletes' Village.

In an effort to manage costs, local organisers opted for alternative accommodation options, including an Italian cruise ship docked in Nagoya port that can house roughly 4,000 participants, as well as shipping-container style huts designed to accommodate approximately 2,000 people. Additionally, hotel rooms in the city provide backup lodging. These arrangements mark a departure from traditional athlete villages commonly used in large multi-sport events.

Despite these measures, complications surfaced as some athletes experienced prolonged wait times for credential activation. Reports have indicated instances where male and female athletes were assigned to shared rooms, and coaches, officials, and athletes were sometimes housed together. Room assignments in certain cases were made based on numerical convenience rather than practicality, leading to mixed accommodations such as male and female athletes sharing twin rooms or trainers being placed in quarters unsuitable for their medical equipment needs.

The organising committee attributed these issues in part to the unexpected increase in the number of competitors and officials—from an initially projected 15,000 to a capped 17,000—following the addition of new sports to the programme. In response, the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) had anticipated potential accommodation pressures and arranged for hotel rooms as contingency options.

Some participating countries have voiced dissatisfaction with the temporary housing. South Korean officials notably criticized the container huts as inadequate, describing them as "the worst ever" and highlighting concerns such as beds being too short. Officials from other delegations reportedly opted to secure private hotel accommodations upon inspecting the facilities.

Organising committee president Hideaki Omura acknowledged the concerns but defended the functional nature of the arrangements, noting that prior assessments by a committee of former athletes including Olympians had endorsed the container hut facilities. Omura emphasized that efforts were ongoing to address issues as they arose: "If there are different opinions, then we will respond to them appropriately," he said, reiterating the commitment to ensuring athlete comfort and safety.

The timing of the Games has also presented logistical considerations, as Nagoya has experienced heavy rainfall and typhoon-related weather events in September. Omura stressed that safety remained a priority, particularly for athletes accommodated on the cruise ship.

The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will feature athletes from 45 countries and territories competing in over 40 sports. While ticket sales for marquee events have been strong, organisers noted that lesser-known sports, such as cricket, have yet to gain widespread interest among the local public.

As the Games approach, organisers continue to work with participating teams to coordinate accommodation adjustments and mitigate concerns, aiming to provide an environment conducive to strong athletic performances despite the unconventional housing solutions employed this year.