Asian Games
2026 Asian Games to Reduce Number of Athletes and Teams, No Games Village
The 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya will forgo a traditional Games Village, instead using hotels and cruise ships for accommodations, and may reduce the number of participants.
The 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, will not feature a Games Village.
Instead, athletes and officials will be accommodated in hotels and on cruise ships.
This announcement was made by Tsunekazu Takeda, the former president of the Japan Olympic Committee, during the 44th General Assembly of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) on Sunday.
Takeda explained that the decision stems from the Games being co-hosted across two locations — Aichi Prefecture and the city of Nagoya.
“Given the geographical spread, we are providing accommodation on cruise ships for 4,000 athletes and officials, along with hotel rooms,” Takeda said.
He emphasized that this arrangement aims to efficiently manage the large number of participants.
However, the plan has faced criticism from some OCA members.
Representatives from Kuwait and Palestine expressed concerns that not having a centralized Games Village undermines the spirit of the Games, which traditionally brings athletes together in one location to foster unity and camaraderie.
Newly-elected OCA president Randhir Singh also voiced his reservations.
“The village experience is vital for creating a shared environment for young athletes,” Singh said.
Reduction in number of athletes
He hinted at potential changes to participant numbers, noting that the OCA is considering reducing the size of teams and individual competitors.
“We might limit team entries to the top eight in sports like football and restrict individual events to two or three representatives per country,” Singh added.
These adjustments aim to streamline the event, but they have sparked debate about their impact on the inclusiveness and spirit of the Games.
The decision represents a notable shift in how the Asian Games will be organized in 2026.