After years of anticipation, the 2024 Olympics in Paris are finally here, set to begin with a historic Opening Ceremony this week. The Opening Ceremony at the 2024 Olympics: A Historic First
While several events are scheduled to take place on Wednesday and Thursday, the official kick-off will be Friday’s Opening Ceremony, starting at 1 p.m. CT. This year’s ceremony promises to be unlike any other.
Traditionally, the Opening Ceremonies have been held in stadiums. However, in Paris, the Parade of Athletes will take place on the Seine, the iconic river that runs through the city.
This groundbreaking ceremony will mark the start of a two-week global competition featuring numerous sports, hundreds of countries, and thousands of athletes.
Here’s what you need to know about the 2024 Opening Ceremony:
When is the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony?
The Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympics in Paris will be on Friday, July 26. The events are scheduled to begin at 8:24 p.m. local time, which corresponds to 1:24 p.m. CT.
What Channel is the Olympics Opening Ceremony On?
NBC and its affiliated networks will provide extensive coverage of the Opening Ceremony. You can watch the event live on:
- NBC
- NBC Sports
- CNBC
- USA Network
- Olympic Channel
- Golf Channel
- Telemundo Deportes
- NBCOlympics.com
- Peacock
NBC will offer comprehensive coverage across all time zones, ensuring you won’t miss a moment of the historic event.
NBC will provide extensive coverage of the Opening Ceremony, broadcasting it live across all time zones as part of a full day of Olympic programming.
What Happens During the Olympics Opening Ceremony?
The highlight of the Opening Ceremony is the Parade of Nations, where thousands of Olympians representing 206 countries make their grand entrance into the Games. This year, instead of marching into a stadium, they will arrive by boat on the Seine.
Over 10,000 athletes will navigate the nearly four-mile route on approximately 160 boats representing each national delegation. The parade route ends at the Trocadéro, located across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower, where the final elements of the Opening Ceremony will take place.
Additional festivities include the raising of the host nation’s flag, the singing of its anthem, live performances incorporating the host nation’s culture, and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron.
For the U.S., tennis star Coco Gauff and NBA superstar LeBron James have been chosen to lead American athletes during the Parade of Nations.
What’s Happening Before the Opening Ceremony?
Here’s a look at the events taking place ahead of Friday’s Opening Ceremony:
| Date/Time (CT) | Event | Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Wed, July 24, 8 a.m. | M Soccer: Argentina vs. Morocco | Peacock, NBC Olympics |
| Wed, July 24, 8 a.m. | M Soccer: Uzbekistan vs. Spain | Peacock, NBC Olympics |
| Wed, July 24, 8:30 a.m. | M Rugby: Pool play (12 matches) | Peacock, NBC Olympics |
| Wed, July 24, 10 a.m. | M Soccer: Egypt vs. Dominican Republic | Peacock, NBC Olympics |
| Wed, July 24, 10 a.m. | M Soccer: Guinea vs. New Zealand | Peacock, NBC Olympics |
| Wed, July 24, 12 p.m. | M Soccer: Japan vs. Paraguay | Peacock, NBC Olympics |
| Wed, July 24, 12 p.m. | M Soccer: Iraq vs. Ukraine | Peacock, NBC Olympics |
| Wed, July 24, 2 p.m. | M Soccer: France vs. United States | Peacock, NBC Olympics |
| Wed, July 24, 2 p.m. | M Soccer: Mali vs. Israel | Peacock, NBC Olympics |
| Thu, July 25, 2 a.m. | W Handball: Slovenia vs. Denmark | Peacock, NBC Olympics |
| Thu, July 25, 2:30 a.m. | W Archery: Individual ranking round | NBC Olympics |
| Thu, July 25, 4 a.m. | W Handball: Netherlands vs. Angola | Peacock, NBC Olympics |
| Thu, July 25, 7 a.m. | W Handball: Spain vs. Brazil | Peacock, NBC Olympics |
| Thu, July 25, 7 a.m. | M Rugby: Pool play (6 matches) | Peacock, NBC Olympics |
| Thu, July 25, 7:15 a.m. | M Archery: Individual ranking round | NBC Olympics |
| Thu, July 25, 9 a.m. | W Handball: Germany vs. South Korea | Peacock, NBC Olympics |
| Thu, July 25, 10 a.m. | W Soccer: Spain vs. Japan | Peacock, NBC Olympics |
| Thu, July 25, 10 a.m. | W Soccer: Canada vs. New Zealand | Peacock, NBC Olympics |
| Thu, July 25, 12 p.m. | W Soccer: Nigeria vs. Brazil | Peacock, NBC Olympics |
| Thu, July 25, 12 p.m. | W Soccer: Germany vs. Australia | Peacock, NBC Olympics |
| Thu, July 25, 12 p.m. | W Handball: Hungary vs. France | Peacock, NBC Olympics |
| Thu, July 25, 1 p.m. | M Rugby: Quarterfinals and placing | Peacock, NBC Olympics |
| Thu, July 25, 2 p.m. | W Soccer: United States vs. Zambia | Peacock, NBC Olympics |
| Thu, July 25, 2 p.m. | W Soccer: France vs. Colombia | Peacock, NBC Olympics |
| Thu, July 25, 2 p.m. | W Soccer: Norway vs. Sweden | Peacock, NBC Olympics |
| Fri, July 26, 2 a.m. | Shooting: 10m air rifle mixed team pre-event training | N/A |
| Fri, July 26, 3 a.m. | M Shooting: 10m air pistol pre-event training | N/A |
| Fri, July 26, 4:45 a.m. | W Shooting: 10m air pistol pre-event training | N/A |
Conclusion
The 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony promises to be a groundbreaking event, combining tradition with innovative elements. For the first time, the Parade of Nations will take place on the Seine, adding a unique and picturesque twist to the festivities. As athletes from around the world gather to celebrate and compete, viewers can anticipate an extraordinary display of cultural performances, historical moments, and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron.
For those eager to catch the events leading up to the Opening Ceremony, a variety of sports competitions will kick off earlier in the week, available on Peacock and NBC Olympics. Stay tuned for a fortnight of thrilling athleticism and inspiring moments.
