Asian Games 2026: Cruise Ship Houses Athletes as India Scrambles for Extra Rooms

A 290-metre cruise ship is hosting athletes at the Asian Games in Japan, but accommodation shortages have prompted Indian officials to book additional hotel rooms and arrange transport as the contingent prepares for competition.

The Costa Serena, with 1,500 cabins and a passenger capacity of 3,780, is among the accommodation facilities for the 2026 Games in Aichi-Nagoya. According to the Olympic Council of Asia, the ship has a gross tonnage of approximately 114,000 and measures 290.2 metres in length.

This edition has no traditional Athletes’ Village. Athletes and officials are being housed across the cruise ship, Asian Games “villas” near Garden Pier, and hotels throughout Nagoya City and Aichi Prefecture.

The arrangements have come under scrutiny following reports of accommodation, accreditation and transportation problems ahead of the opening ceremony.

A Cruise, a Queue and Extra Rooms

India’s chef de mission, Sahdev Yadav, acknowledged the initial difficulties on Friday, saying the contingent had made its own arrangements to meet athletes’ needs.

“The accreditation process is quite lengthy and is being done on the cruise, so it is taking a lot of time. There are also some transportation issues, but we have made our own arrangements for cars and hotels for our players,” Yadav told reporters.

He said 18 additional hotel rooms had already been booked, with another 10 planned that day.

“There is definitely a shortage of accommodation,” he said.

According to Yadav, Indian officials had to secure extra rooms at short notice after being told on arrival that the contingent’s accommodation quota had been reduced.

“When we arrived here, we were informed that our accommodation quota had been reduced. So, we had to book additional hotels within a day,” he said.

Diaspora on Standby

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has put a three-layer management system in place to address logistical problems, with Indian officials and diaspora members coordinating assistance.

Around 2,000 members of the Indian community in Nagoya are on standby to offer accommodation if required, a ministry source told ANI.

“Approximately 2000 Indian people in Nagoya are on standby to open their houses for athletes if they have problems with their accommodation,” the source said.

The ministry source added that two people had been assigned to the airport and three to the welcome centre, with Yadav and Sports Authority of India officials coordinating support for the contingent.

Keeping Athletes Focused

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya met Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha in Nagoya on Friday. Their discussions included accommodation difficulties faced by some athletes after arriving in Japan.

Usha welcomed the minister’s presence, saying his support would boost the contingent’s morale.

Yadav said the immediate focus was on resolving problems and ensuring athletes could concentrate on competition.

“There has been some mismanagement, but this is such a big event that anything can happen,” he said.

“Our priority is to look after our children; resolve all their problems and ensure they are comfortable and well taken care of. We want them to focus on their performance, win medals and then relax.”

With inputs from ANI