Ship cruises in to ease Asiad lodging woes

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 16, 2026

An Italian cruise ship, the Costa Serena, has docked in Nagoya to provide temporary housing for about 4,000 athletes and officials during the Asian Games amid criticisms of other accommodations, such as container huts. This move aims to alleviate lodging concerns as over 17,000 participants compete, marking Japan’s first use of a cruise liner for athlete housing and highlighting efforts to balance capacity and costs at a large-scale sporting event.

NAGOYA, Japan — An Italian cruise ship has arrived in Nagoya to serve as temporary housing for thousands of athletes competing in the Asian Games, amid growing concerns over accommodation conditions at the multi-sport event. The Costa Serena, nearly 300 meters in length and weighing over 100,000 tonnes, docked on September 15 and will provide lodging for approximately 4,000 athletes and officials. The Games, which officially open on September 19 and run until October 4, are expecting over 17,000 participants, surpassing the number seen at recent Olympic competitions.

In addition to the cruise ship, athletes are being accommodated in a combination of hotel rooms and wooden container-style huts intended to reduce costs. However, the container huts have drawn criticism from several national teams, including South Korea. Officials from the Korean delegation described the huts as the "worst ever," with concerns reportedly shared by numerous delegations present at the Games. A South Korean basketball official also voiced dissatisfaction, stating that the cabins provided to the men's basketball team were too small. One player highlighted poor conditions by posting a video on social media showing a leaking sink and water-damaged floors in his container hut, appealing for assistance.

The arrangements have sparked debate over the adequacy and quality of athlete accommodations at the event. Local organizing committee president Hideaki Omura acknowledged the unconventional housing methods but framed them as potentially sustainable solutions for managing large-scale international sporting events. Speaking at a ceremony welcoming the cruise ship, Omura noted that this marked the first time Japan has utilized a cruise liner as athlete accommodation for a major competition and expressed optimism about the model’s viability for future events.

The use of cruise ships for athlete lodging is not unprecedented internationally but has rarely been implemented on such a scale. The approach aims to balance logistical demands and financial constraints as organizers confront the challenge of hosting an event of this magnitude.

Further complicating the accommodation situation, severe weather impacted the region in recent days. Nagoya experienced record rainfall that resulted in flooding, forcing the temporary evacuation of hundreds of athletes from their lodgings to ensure their safety.

As the Games progress, the organizing committee is under pressure to address accommodation issues promptly while maintaining a secure and comfortable environment for all participants.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.