The world is eagerly anticipating the start of the Paris 2024 Olympics, and the opening ceremony is set to be an unprecedented spectacle. Instead of the traditional stadium setting, over 10,000 athletes will embark on a breathtaking journey down the Seine River, promising a revolutionary start to the Games. If you’re wondering, What Time Do The Olympics Start with this grand ceremony, and how you can watch it, we’ve got you covered with all the essential details for the US audience.
When Does the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony Begin?
For viewers in the United States, the Olympic Opening Ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on Friday. However, NBC is set to begin its live broadcast even earlier, with a pre-show kicking off at noon ET, ensuring you don’t miss a single moment of the excitement. For those in Paris, the ceremony will commence at 7:30 p.m. local time.
If you happen to miss the live broadcast, or simply want to relive the experience, NBC will also air a prime-time encore telecast later in the day at 7:30 p.m. ET. This encore presentation will include additional content, offering a richer viewing experience for audiences across the United States. Be prepared for an extensive program, as the ceremony is expected to last for approximately four hours.
How to Watch the Olympic Opening Ceremony
NBC is the official broadcaster for the Paris 2024 Olympics in the United States, and they are pulling out all the stops to bring you comprehensive coverage of the opening ceremony. With 40 cameras positioned throughout Paris, NBC promises to capture every angle of this historic event.
You have multiple options to watch the Olympic Opening Ceremony:
- Television: Tune in to NBC on your television to watch the live broadcast starting with the pre-show at noon ET, followed by the ceremony at 1:30 p.m. ET, and the primetime encore at 7:30 p.m. ET.
- Streaming: For digital viewers, the ceremony will be streamed live on both Peacock and the NBC Olympics website and app. Peacock offers comprehensive coverage of the entire Paris 2024 Olympics, making it a prime destination for Olympic enthusiasts.
With these multiple platforms, accessing the Paris 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony is convenient for everyone across the US.
What to Expect at the Opening Ceremony: A Seine River Spectacle
Forget stadiums – the Paris 2024 opening ceremony is rewriting the Olympic playbook. The ceremony will commence with traditional elements, including the raising of the French flag and the playing of the French national anthem, honoring the host nation.
However, the highlight and truly innovative aspect of this year’s ceremony is the Parade of Nations. Instead of marching into a stadium, athletes from 206 countries will be transported by boats along the Seine River, the lifeblood of Paris. This unprecedented approach, as described by artistic director Thomas Jolly, is “absolute creation,” with no prior model to follow.
The aquatic procession will begin at the Austerlitz Bridge and travel nearly 4 miles downstream, culminating at the Trocadéro, near the iconic Eiffel Tower. This route will showcase some of Paris’s most famous landmarks, including the Louvre Museum and the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, providing a stunning backdrop for the athletes’ parade. Each boat will be equipped with cameras, offering viewers an immersive and intimate look at the athletes and the Parisian scenery. The ceremony will conclude with the highly anticipated lighting of the Olympic torch and a speech from French President Emmanuel Macron.
Despite initial concerns regarding security and pollution, organizers have affirmed their readiness to host this ambitious and groundbreaking opening ceremony.
Who are the Hosts and Performers for the Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony?
NBC has assembled a star-studded hosting team to guide viewers through the Paris 2024 opening ceremony. Veteran sports commentator Mike Tirico will be at the helm, hosting his fourth Olympic opening ceremony. He will be joined by two prominent figures: Kelly Clarkson, the Grammy-winning singer, and NFL Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, bringing a diverse range of talent and perspectives to the broadcast.
Adding to the hosting lineup, Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, the familiar faces from NBC’s “TODAY” show, will provide aerial commentary from a vantage point on a Seine bridge, offering a unique perspective of the river parade. Maria Taylor, a commentator for NBC Sports, will also contribute to the hosting efforts, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
While official musical performers are yet to be confirmed, rumors are swirling around potential appearances by global superstars Céline Dion and Lady Gaga, both of whom have been reported to be in Paris. French newspaper Le Parisien has suggested that Céline Dion, who is Québécois and sings in French, might perform “L’Hymne à l’amour” by the legendary French singer Édith Piaf, marking a poignant return to the stage after her recent health challenges.
Team USA in the Parade of Nations: When to Watch
Team USA will be featured prominently in the Parade of Nations. Due to Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Summer Olympics, Team USA will have the honor of being the second-to-last team to proceed down the Seine, just before the host nation, France.
Leading the delegation as flag bearers for Team USA are NBA icon LeBron James and US Open tennis champion Coco Gauff. This is a historic moment, as Coco Gauff, at the age of 20, becomes the youngest athlete ever to carry the American flag at an Olympic opening ceremony. While LeBron James is a seasoned Olympian with three medals, Paris 2024 marks Coco Gauff’s Olympic debut, adding extra excitement to their joint role.
Get Ready for the Games
The Paris 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony promises to be an unforgettable event, setting the stage for two weeks of thrilling athletic competition. Knowing what time the Olympics start and how to watch ensures you won’t miss the beginning of this historic Games. Prepare to witness a groundbreaking ceremony that blends tradition with innovation against the stunning backdrop of Paris. Tune in to NBC or stream on Peacock starting at noon ET on Friday to be part of Olympic history.
