Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games organisers apologise for logistics and ticket sales issues

Organisers of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games have issued formal apologies following significant logistical failures regarding transport and accommodation. Satoshi Murate, Secretary General of the organising committee (AINAGOC), acknowledged mistakes in service provision, which have been exacerbated by a participant count of approximately 17,000—roughly 2,000 more than initially projected.

Athletes and officials have reported various issues, including transport delays, cramped rooms, and inadequate bedding. Because the Games lack a traditional Athletes’ Village, participants are being housed in a mix of hotels, temporary units, and a chartered cruise ship. Some delegations, including South Korea and Thailand, have been highly critical, with Thailand describing the situation as a ‘chaotic’ game of ‘musical chairs’. Specific incidents include the Mongolian women’s basketball team missing a training session due to a transport failure.

In addition to logistical struggles, organisers expressed dissatisfaction with ticket sales. Large sections of the 30,000-capacity Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium appeared largely empty during major events, such as the 100m sprints. While Murate noted that overall sales remain strong and some empty seats are due to stakeholder no-shows, less than 60 percent of tickets have been sold for several sports and the upcoming closing ceremony.