Cricket at Asian Games 2026: Teams Free to Book Own Accommodation, Confirms Japan Cricket Association
Cricket teams participating in the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, have secured the flexibility to arrange their own accommodation.
As the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, rapidly approaches (September 19 – October 4, 2026), cricket teams are being afforded an unprecedented level of flexibility in their accommodation choices amidst growing concerns over the provisions made by organisers. The Japan Cricket Association (JCA) has clarified that while official hotel stays are offered, participating nations are now free to make their own arrangements, a significant concession following an outcry from leading cricketing boards. BCCI Mulls India 'B' Squad for Asian Games 2026 Over Inadequate Facilities in Japan: Report.
The logistical challenges surfaced during a recent Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting, where member nations, including powerhouses like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, reportedly expressed their dissatisfaction. Key issues highlighted included a perceived lack of five-star hotel availability, the small size of allocated rooms inadequate for players' extensive kitbags, and the considerable 20-kilometre distance between the designated accommodation and the cricket venue, Kōrogi Sports Park in Nisshin City, Aichi Prefecture.
Organizers Address Concerns
JCA CEO Naoki Alex Miyaji addressed the swirling concerns, confirming that teams are not obligated to use the accommodation provided by the organisers. "The teams are free to arrange their own accommodation if they choose to do so," Miyaji stated. He also moved to reassure teams about the playing facilities at Kōrogi Sports Park, a remodelled baseball facility with a hybrid pitch square completed in late March 2026. Miyaji confirmed that temporary yet comfortable player facilities, including washrooms and dressing rooms, have been established on-site.
This year's Asian Games deviates from the traditional Athletes' Village model, with participants across all sports being housed in a mix of hotels, a luxury cruise liner (Costa Serena), and temporary wooden or shipping-container-style accommodation. However, the unique demands of cricketers, who travel with substantial equipment, brought the suitability of these options into sharp focus.
The Cricket Competition Details
The men's and women's T20 cricket tournaments are set to be thrilling affairs. The women's competition runs from September 17 to September 22, 2026, with India's Harmanpreet Kaur-led side beginning their title defence on September 18 at 2:00 PM JST (Japan Standard Time), facing hosts Japan in a quarterfinal clash. The men's tournament runs from September 24 to October 3, 2026, with the Shreyas Iyer-captained Indian men's team entering the fray directly in the quarterfinals on September 28. Asian Games 2026 Cricket Venue: What We Know About Controversial Korogi Sports Park.
Key Indian Squads for Asian Games 2026:
| Indian Men's Squad (Captain: Shreyas Iyer) | Indian Women's Squad (Captain: Harmanpreet Kaur) |
|---|---|
| Abhishek Sharma | Smriti Mandhana |
| Sanju Samson (WK) | Shafali Verma |
| Ishan Kishan (WK) | Pratika Rawal |
| Shivam Dube | Deepti Sharma |
| Tilak Varma | Richa Ghosh (WK) |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | Gunalan Kamalini |
| Axar Patel | Bharti Fulmali |
| Washington Sundar | Sree Charani |
| Varun Chakravarthy | Renuka Singh Thakur |
| Ravi Bishnoi | Kranti Gaud |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Arundhati Reddy |
| Harshit Rana | Shreyanka Patil |
| Arshdeep Singh | Radha Yadav |
| Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | Nandani Sharma |
While initial reports suggested some boards might consider sending second-string teams due to these issues, India has named strong squads for both its men's and women's teams, indicating a commitment to the multi-sport event. The flexibility in accommodation aims to mitigate the concerns, ensuring that participating cricket nations can focus on their performance at the prestigious continental Games.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 01, 2026 07:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
