Asian Games 2026: Cricket teams free to arrange own hotels, says Japan Cricket CEO

Cricket teams competing at the Asian Games 2026 have been told they are not bound to use the accommodation provided by the organisers and may make their own hotel arrangements if they wish.

The clarification follows concerns raised by top cricketing nations at a recent Asian Cricket Council meeting over logistical matters, including the distance of the designated accommodation from the Korogi Sports Park venue in Nisshin City, Aichi Prefecture, which stands at 20 kilometres.

"The Asian Games is being organised by the organising committee Aichi-Nagoya Games Organizing Committee (AINAGOC) in collaboration with the ACC under the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)," said Miyaji as quoted by NDTV Sports.

Miyaji also responded to reports about washroom facilities at the venue. He confirmed that toilet facilities will be placed inside the player area, with both permanent structures and temporary units available on site, dismissing suggestions that teams would need to travel a significant distance to access them.

"Please note that toilets will be available within the player area. There are both temporary and permanent facilities at the venue. The facilities on the ground are temporary, but AINAGOC have worked very closely with the ACC for over a year now to ensure that the best facilities are provided within the limited timeline and facility restrictions," Miyaji said.

How was the Korogi Sports Park readied for the Asian Games?

The Korogi Sports Park was developed over a period of 17 months ahead of the Asian Games 2026 cricket event. Prior to this project, Aichi Prefecture had no cricket facility of any recognised standard, making the construction effort a notable milestone for the sport in Japan.

Sri Lanka Cricket sent its curators to assist with the preparation of the playing surface, contributing to both the laying of turf and the fitting of hybrid pitches at the ground. Makeshift dressing rooms have also been put in place for the competing teams.

Miyaji acknowledged the constraints involved, noting that cricket does not rank among the leading sports in Japan, and said the JCA's primary contribution to the event has been in community engagement rather than direct event management. He expressed confidence that cricket would be a successful addition to the Japan edition of the Asian Games.

"It will be a full size ground with turf and hybrid pitches prepared by the best curators which Sri Lanka Cricket should be credited for providing. There are limits on what they can do within these tight limits, but from what I have seen, the playing surface and field will be the best seen in Cricket's inclusion in the Asian Games," said Miyaji.

What is the schedule and format for cricket at the Asian Games 2026?

The women's T20 tournament is scheduled to run from September 17 to September 22, 2026, with the men's T20 competition following from September 24 to October 1, 2026. Both tournaments will be held at the Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi Prefecture.

India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have been seeded directly into the men's quarter-finals on the basis of their rankings. The remaining four quarter-final berths in the men's draw will be filled through a preliminary stage in which six teams are divided into two groups. Defending champions India have secured direct quarter-final entry in both the men's and women's T20 competitions.