Asian Games 2026: Athletes To Stay in a Cruise Ship Village in Japan

The Costa Serena cruise ship has arrived at Nagoya Port to house about 4,000 athletes and officials for the 2026 Asian Games. The unusual arrangement comes as organizers face complaints over shortages and temporary accommodation.

The Italian-flagged Costa Serena docked at Nagoya Port on September 15. Athletes are scheduled to start boarding the ship today. The vessel will remain at the port during the Games.

The 290-meter-long ship has about 1,500 cabins. It can accommodate up to 4,000 athletes and officials at a time. The ship also has restaurants, fitness facilities and other passenger services.

The arrangement is part of Japan’s decision not to build a traditional Athletes’ Village for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Organizers are instead using hotels, temporary accommodation and the cruise ship to house participants.

The Games are expected to involve about 17,000 athletes and officials. Around 9,000 people will stay in hotels. About 4,000 will stay on the Costa Serena. Another 2,000 will use temporary wooden container-style accommodation.

Accommodation Shortage Draws Complaints

The accommodation plan has faced problems before the official opening. South Korean officials have raised concerns about a shortage of rooms for participating delegations.

A Korean Sport & Olympic Committee official said some delegations received fewer container rooms than promised. The official said a delegation promised 100 rooms could be short by around 20 rooms.

South Korean athletes have also complained about the size of beds in some temporary rooms. Officials from other delegations have raised accommodation concerns as well. The Philippines has arranged alternative accommodation for some officials through hotels and Airbnb.

Organizers have started looking for additional hotel rooms to address the shortages. They have also set up a 24-hour resident center to handle accommodation complaints and other problems during the Games.

The Olympic Council of Asia said athletes and officials from 45 National Olympic Committees will stay across the cruise ship, temporary accommodation at Garden Pier, hotels in Nagoya and other locations in Aichi Prefecture.

The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will officially open on September 19 and continue until October 4.