Costa Serena Cruise Ship to Serve as Asian Games Athletes' Village

CHENNAI: The upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, will feature a distinctive accommodation solution for athletes, as the Costa Serena cruise ship is set to serve as a floating village. This innovative approach is part of efforts to manage the housing of approximately 17,000 registered athletes and officials during the event, which will take place from September 19 to October 4.

What is Costa Serena? The Costa Serena is a large cruise ship, constructed by the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in 2007. With a capacity to host around 5,000 guests, the ship boasts 557 balcony cabins, eight dining facilities, and 10 bars across its 14 decks. A significant refurbishment occurred in 2025 in China, ensuring it meets modern accommodation standards. For the Asian Games, it will be exclusively utilised as lodging for participants rather than for leisure activities.

Why use a cruise ship for accommodations? Organisers opted for the Costa Serena as a cost-effective measure. The construction of new housing units, which may remain unused post-Games, was deemed less favourable. Authorities have reportedly allocated nearly 30 million US dollars for the ship's charter, making it a practical solution to accommodate at least a portion of the attendees.

Will all athletes stay on the ship? Not all, as only around 5,000 athletes and officials will be accommodated aboard the ship at any given time. Selection for occupancy will be based on the proximity of athletes' events to the ship's docking location at Nagoya Port. Initial arrangements have seen participants from 20 sports, such as judo, wrestling, and archery, prioritised for accommodation on the ship due to their venues’ locations.

What about other participants? Those not housed on the Costa Serena will be accommodated in various ways. Approximately 2,000 athletes may use temporary container-style lodging or other makeshift arrangements. Given that some sports, such as swimming and equestrian events, will take place in Tokyo, specific competitors may stay at hotels in the capital city.

Concerns regarding typhoons have been raised, particularly as the likelihood of severe weather during the Games is significant. Organisers assure that forecasts will be available a week in advance, and contingency measures are reportedly in place, although details of these measures have not been disclosed.

Organisers of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games are working to ensure all logistics run smoothly as the commencement date approaches. This year’s Games promise a showcase of athletic prowess and a remarkable organisational effort in meeting the challenges posed by an increased number of participants.