Asian Games launch in Nagoya amid massive accommodation scramble and looming typhoons

The opening ceremony of the 20th Asian Games will be held Saturday in Nagoya, marking the continent’s largest sporting gathering with over 17,000 athletes and officials expected through October 4. Organizers, who had planned for 15,000 participants, now rely on unconventional lodging such as the Italian cruise ship Costa Serena—housing up to 5,000 people—and makeshift wooden containers after failing to secure enough hotel rooms.

South Korean officials have condemned the arrangements as the worst ever, while India constructed replica container huts for its team. Heavy rains linked to Japan’s September-October typhoon season forced a temporary evacuation and caused water seepage in some venues, though no serious damage was reported. Despite the weather challenges, officials assure that every competitor will have a bed and that the Games will also act as qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in seven sports. New events this edition include eSports, breakdancing, BMX, padel and MMA, with stars such as Alexandra Eala, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Yu Zidi set to compete.