Asian Games 2026 hit by accommodation and transport chaos

Organizers of the Aichi–Nagoya 2026 Asian Games faced major accommodation and transport problems as delegations arrived in Japan ahead of the opening ceremony. More than 17,000 athletes and officials are staying in a decentralized network of hotels, temporary container units and the cruise ship Costa Serena instead of a central Athletes’ Village.

India reported significant disruption. Sahdev Yadav, India’s Chef de Mission, said about 30 to 35 athletes were affected after some names were removed from the organizers’ accommodation list, forcing emergency hotel bookings. Indian shooters were lodged 50–60 kilometres from their range, and one delayed bus turned a transfer into nearly a two-hour journey. Wushu coaches and support staff waited more than six hours before receiving rooms aboard the cruise ship, and mixed martial arts athlete Varun Sanyal described a wait approaching 10 hours before being allocated a bed.

Members of China’s delegation also experienced delays. Gymnast Zhang Boheng reported waiting roughly six hours after arrival and described himself as “totally exhausted.” He said he had breakfast around 7 a.m. but did not get another full meal until close to 7 p.m. Some Chinese delegation members arranged private accommodation after protracted registration and transport delays. The Chinese consulate in Nagoya sought help from local residents to transport some athletes after shuttle shortages and a lack of public transport tickets.

South Korea issued strong criticism of container-style units near Nagoya Port. Basketball official Jung Jae-Yong described the setup as the “worst it has ever been.” Players raised concerns that beds were too short for taller athletes, and footage circulated of what appeared to be a leaking sink. Some South Korean athletes waited more than five hours at airports, and the football team was taken to a baseball venue by mistake before a match, delaying pre-game preparation. The Korean Sport and Olympic Committee said it was addressing the reports.

Team Japan also found problems with room allocations. Organizers reallocated some athletes after male and female competitors were assigned shared rooms and coaches, officials and athletes were grouped together. Hisashi Mizutori, Japan’s deputy Chef de Mission, said adjustments were under way and backup accommodation prepared by Team Japan could be used.

Organizers and the Olympic Council of Asia defended the decision not to build a single Athletes’ Village, saying a dispersed model would limit post-Games costs. In a joint statement, the organizing committee and the OCA said the more than 17,000 athletes and officials registered before the entry deadline had been provided with “Games-appropriate accommodation,” while acknowledging isolated incidents of reassignment and delays.

Other issues included a complaint from South Korea over a welcoming ceremony that featured a historical figure linked to past conflicts, and heavy rain in Nagoya with contingency plans in place for a possible typhoon. Nagoya Mayor Ichiro Hirosawa said protocols exist to evacuate athletes and that the cruise ship could be moved offshore if necessary.

The 20th Asian Games officially open on September 19. More than 11,000 athletes from 45 countries are scheduled to compete across 43 sports as organizers continue to manage accommodation changes and transport arrangements.