2024 Olympics opening ceremony: how to watch and more

The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics is scheduled for Friday, July 26th.

Instead of the traditional march to a stadium, around 6,800 athletes will parade in more than 90 boats on the River Seine for 6 kilometers (3.7 miles). This will begin the ceremony, not mark its end, another break with tradition.

What time does the opening ceremony start?

The ceremony begins at 1:30 pm EDT/7:30 pm CEST and is expected to last over three hours.

Where will the opening ceremony be held?

The parade starts at the Austerlitz Bridge, next to the Jardin des Plantes, and follows the course of the Seine from east to west. It runs along two islands in the city center before passing through several bridges and gates. Athletes on board the boats will get glimpses of several Olympic venues, including La Concorde Urban Park (3X3 basketball, break, BMX freestyle cycling, skateboarding), Invalides (archery, athletics – marathon finish, road cycling – start time trial) and the Grand Palais (fencing, taekwondo). The parade ends at the Iena Bridge, which connects the Eiffel Tower, on the left bank of the Seine, to the Trocadéro neighborhood, on the right bank. The end of the ceremony is at the Trocadéro. There, among other ceremonial procedures, French President Emmanuel Macron will give the opening speech.

How can I watch the opening ceremony?

The ceremony will air on NBC and the Peacock and NBC Olympic platforms – NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, NBC app, NBC Olympics app.

A preview will air on NBC at noon EDT, with live coverage beginning at 1:30 p.m. and an enhanced primetime encore at 7:30 p.m.

Around 220,000 invited and security-protected spectators are expected to pack the upper reaches of the Seine’s banks, and a further 104,000 paying spectators will watch on the lower bank of the river and around Trocadéro square.

Anyone in Paris and unable to get tickets will be able to watch the ceremony on 80 screens installed throughout the city.

Will the train sabotage affect the opening?

A major disruption to rail traffic plunged Paris into uncertainty just hours before the ceremony was scheduled to begin.

There was no immediate indication that what one government official called a series of “arson fires” near the tracks would impact the start.

Who will perform at the opening ceremony?

In addition to the athletes who will participate in the parade, 3,000 dancers, artists and other athletes will be present at the opening and closing ceremonies. Most entertainment acts remain secret. NBC News reported that Celine Dion and Lady Gaga have arrived in Paris amid speculation that one or both pop singers will perform at the opening ceremony.

What happens if it rains at the opening ceremony?

Light rain hit Paris on Friday morning, with more rain forecast for the start of the ceremony. This means there is a good chance of spectators and athletes getting wet, as there is no roof over the Seine.

If it rains, the ceremony should go ahead as planned.