Asian Games 2026 participants rise to 17,000, organisers face accommodation crisis

According to media reports, the number of participants at the Asian Games has risen from 15,000 to 17,000. This has made it difficult to arrange accommodation for the additional participants.

According to Japanese Games officials, there is neither the budget nor the space to house the additional participants. They have been told to arrange their own accommodation.

According to the reports, about 4,000 to 5,000 athletes will stay on cruise ships. Temporary accommodation has been arranged for 2,000 athletes and officials.

No formal athletes’ village has been set up for the Asian Games. However, container-style temporary accommodation has been prepared for athletes and officials.

Other participants will be put up in various hotels, while some will also stay in Tokyo.

According to media reports, the Olympic Council of Asia has also been asked to reduce the number of participants. In all, 11,000 athletes and 6,000 officials are expected to take part in the Asian Games.

The organisers had set aside a budget to host 15,000 people. But now that the number has reached 17,000, it has become difficult, in terms of both time and capacity, to house the additional people.

According to the reports, teqball and padel were added to the Asian Games programme in March, after which the number of participants rose.

The 2026 Asian Games will be held from 19 September to 4 October in Nagoya and other areas of Aichi.