Today, the best athletes from all over the globe will attend the Opening Ceremony to celebrate the commencement of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Top competitors from the United States, who may attend the Opening Ceremony, include Simone Biles, Sha’Carri Richardson, Katie Ledecky and Stephen Curry. NBA legend LeBron James and tennis star Coco Gauff were selected as Team USA’s flag bearers for the event. NBC is the official broadcast home of the 2024 Paris Olympics and one the easiest ways for viewers to catch the Summer Games Opening Ceremonies is with NBC’s streaming service, Peacock.
The Opening Ceremony is a time to honor the athletes who have made it to this momentous occasion, but it’s also a time for France to showcase the country with a spectacular show. This year, the event begins at the Seine River with a bold and original parade. Boats filled with athletes from each national team will float to the center of Paris where the show will take place. Paris promises a “magical atmosphere” for the French and international spectators to enjoy during the opening ceremonies.
It isn’t the Olympics without a stellar Opening Ceremony to kick off the fun. Below, keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the 2024 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony, including live stream options, celebrity hosts, flag bearers and more.
When is the 2024 Summer Olympic Opening Ceremony?
The Opening Ceremony for the Summer Olympics happens today, Friday, July 26, 2024, with live coverage beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET/10:30 a.m. PT. France, where the games are being held, is in the Central European Time Zone, which means the Opening Ceremony will be held earlier in the day in U.S. time zones.
There will also be an enhanced encore of the Opening Ceremony for primetime viewing at 7:30 p.m. ET/MT/PT tonight. After the Opening Ceremony, the Olympic Games are officially on. The Paris Summer Olympics is scheduled from Friday, July 26, 2024, through Sunday, August 11, 2024.
How to Watch the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics
The Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics will air on NBC and stream on Peacock today, Friday, July 26. NBC is the official home of the Olympics this year and the station will air at least nine hours of coverage daily. The Opening Ceremony and every event of the 2024 Summer Olympics will stream live on Peacock along with daily highlights in the evening.
Viewers can also watch Olympic events aired on cable with any live television streaming service that has NBC in its lineup. These include FuboTV, Sling TV and Hulu + Live TV.
How to Watch the Paris Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony for Free
Because FuboTV and Hulu + Live TV both have free trials for new and eligible customers, it is possible to watch the Opening Ceremony for free with either service. Just sign up for the service, watch the Opening Ceremony, and then cancel before the trial period ends.
Which American athletes will be in the Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony?
LeBron James and Coco Gauff have been given the honor of being the U.S. flag-bearers for the 2024 Summer Olympics. Gauff will be the first tennis athlete to carry a U.S. flag. There are 592 athletes from the United States who have earned their spots on the U.S. Olympic Team and over 350 of these individuals will participate in the opening ceremonies.
What celebrities will attend the Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony?
NBC has hired commentators ahead of the Summer Olympics, including those who will help out with the Opening Ceremony. The network has confirmed Mike Tirico, Kelly Clarkson, Peyton Manning, Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Maria Taylor, Melissa Stark and Andrea Joyce will all be on-air as part of the Summer Games Opening Ceremonies coverage.
Celine Dion and Lady Gaga will reportedly take the stage for a duet of “La Vie en Rose“ at the Opening Ceremony. While seeing these two sing together is a dream come true, the occasion is even more significant since this is the first time Dion will perform in front of an audience since her Stiff-Person Syndrome diagnosis and treatment.
What countries are attending the Opening Ceremony?
There are 206 delegations participating in the Paris Olympics. This includes hundreds of nations with at least one representative from their country. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, athletes from Russia and Belarus cannot represent their country and play as “individual neutral athletes.” There are also 36 participants on the Olympic Refugee team.
Key dates for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games
Olympic Village Opens: July 13
Torch Relay in Paris: July 20 – July 26
Gymnastics: July 27 – August 5
Swimming: July 27 – August 4
Track and Field: August 1 – August 11
Breaking: August 9 and 10
Basketball: July 28 – August 9
Soccer: July 24 – August 10
Cycling (Track): August 1 – August 5
Volleyball: July 28 – August 11
Closing Ceremony: August 11
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