Costa Serena has arrived at Nagoya’s Kinjo Pier in Japan, where the Costa Cruises ship is being transformed into one of the most unusual athletes’ villages in international sports.
The ship received its official welcome on September 15 and will accommodate thousands of athletes and officials during the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, which open September 19 and run through October 4. Organizers chose not to construct a conventional athletes’ village, instead distributing participants among hotels, temporary accommodations and the cruise ship.
The Olympic Council of Asia previously said the floating village was designed to accommodate roughly 4,600 athletes and officials. Reuters reported this week that registrations ultimately climbed to about 17,000 athletes and officials overall, putting added pressure on the Games’ unconventional lodging plan.
