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Sunday | September 20, 2026 | Dhaka

Asian Games open in Nagoya after challenging build-up

 Agency
 Published: 12:56 AM, 20 September 2026
Delegation of Bangladesh parades into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Nagoya, Japan on Saturday. Photo : Moin Ahmed

The 20th Asian Games opened in Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday after a challenging buildup marked by accommodation shortages, transportation problems, heavy rainfall and other logistical issues.

Under the slogan “Imagine One Asia,” the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games mark Japan’s third time hosting the event, following Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994.

Unlike previous Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya did not build a traditional Athletes’ Village.

Instead, organizers opted to use existing hotels, a cruise ship and temporary container-style huts, citing cost control and a desire to avoid leaving behind underused infrastructure after the Games.

The approach came under scrutiny as the number of participants rose beyond initial expectations.

Organizers had originally planned accommodation for around 15,000 people, while the final number of athletes and officials approached 17,000.

Some delegations reported delays in room allocations and credential activation, while concerns also arose from room assignments and the distance between accommodation and competition venues.

The OCA defended the overall accommodation strategy, saying the priority was to provide athletes with suitable accommodation, transportation, food and other services while ensuring infrastructure investments remained useful after the Games.

The final days before the opening were also affected by torrential rain in the Nagoya area, which disrupted transportation and led to evacuations in some areas.

Some Games facilities were affected by water leaks, adding another challenge for organizers shortly before the ceremony.

Against that backdrop, the opening ceremony provided a chance to shift the focus back to sport.