The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has stated that cricket will not receive separate accommodation at the upcoming Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will have to arrange its own lodging, food, and transport if it chooses not to stay at the official hotels.
Asian Games organisers are facing accommodation pressure, with the number of athletes and officials expected to reach around 17,000, up from the initial estimate of 15,000. Organisers have added mobile housing units and the Costa Serena cruise ship to meet the demand across the 36 sports at the Games.
IOA Says BCCI Can Make Its Own Accommodation Plans for Asian Games
The IOA stated that there will be no separate accommodation arrangements for the Indian cricket teams at the 2026 Asian Games. If the BCCI decides not to use the official hotels, it will have to arrange accommodation, food, local transport, and travel to the cricket venue itself.
IOA CEO Raghuram Iyer said BCCI CEO Hemang Amin had contacted the association about sending an advance team to Japan to inspect the facilities. The IOA has no objection to the visit and will leave the final decision to the BCCI and the Games organizers.
“BCCI CEO Hemang Amin got in touch with us (IOA), and we had a fruitful discussion. They are contemplating sending an advance team to Japan to assess the facilities. The IOA is completely fine with that. Based on their assessment, they can decide whether they want to use the organisers' facilities or make their own arrangements,” Iyer told The Times of India.
“It is for the BCCI and the organisers to work out the best solution. All sports, athletes, coaches and the entire delegation are treated equally by IOA,” he said.
The BCCI would have to inform the IOA of any decision, while Games security, accreditation, venue access, and anti-doping rules would still apply. WADA and International Testing Agency (ITA) officials would also need the players’ accommodation details for random testing.
BCCI to Inspect Hotels Before Making Final Call
The Games organisers have allotted the three-star APA Hotel Nagoya Ekimae to the Indian men's team and the four-star Meitetsu Grand Hotel to the women's team. However, the twin-sharing arrangement is a concern for the BCCI, as Indian cricketers usually receive single-occupancy five-star rooms.
The BCCI will send an advance team to Japan early next week to inspect the hotels, cricket venue, training facilities, and other arrangements before making a final decision. Iyer said the IOA supports the BCCI's approach as long as it focuses on the players' welfare.
“The BCCI is taking care of its athletes, and sending an advance team is the right way to assess the facilities before making a decision. We are completely for the well-being of the athletes. Our objective is that the entire Indian delegation has a comfortable stay and a wonderful experience in Japan,” he said.
India Teams Set for Different Asian Games Schedules
The women's team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, will travel to Nagoya on September 14 after returning from the Women's Asia Cup in Dubai. India will begin its Asian Games campaign in the quarterfinals on September 18, with the women's tournament ending on September 22.
The men's team, captained by Shreyas Iyer, will travel to Japan on September 21. India will also enter the men's competition directly in the quarterfinals, with its campaign starting on September 28. The team is scheduled to return on October 4.
Aichi-Nagoya is already facing accommodation pressure, with the number of athletes and coaches expected to reach around 17,000, up from the original estimate of 15,000. Organizers are using mobile accommodation units and the Costa Serena cruise ship to increase capacity.
Before the Asian Games, India will face Japan in a T20I for the Suzuki Cup on September 22. The match will mark 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries and give Shreyas Iyer's side valuable match practice ahead of its Asian Games quarterfinal.
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