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The 2024 Olympic Games is finally here! If you haven’t already wrapped your head around when they start and how to watch for free, let us help catch you up to speed.
For the first time in history, the Olympic Summer Games Opening Ceremony will take place outside a stadium. Instead, on July 26, around 100 boats carrying 10,500 athletes will sail down the river Seine, from east to west over six kilometres. Hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg has been named as the official Olympic torch bearer, with Celine Dion and Lady Gaga performing together on the night. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony.
What time does the Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony start in Australia?
The largest-ever Olympic Games Opening Ceremony will begin on Friday, July 26 at 7.30pm local time in Paris. The Summer Games will officially launch at 8.24pm local time, or 20.24 on a 24-hour clock.
In Australia, the Opening Ceremony falls on Saturday, July 27. If you’re hoping to tune in, then be prepared for an early start at:
- 1.30am AWST – WA
- 3am ACST – NT, SA
- 3.30am AEST – ACT, QLD, NSW, VIC, TAS
How to watch the Olympics Opening Ceremony on TV in Australia?
The 2024 Olympic Games will be broadcast in Australia on more than 40 free-to-air channels under the Nine Network, including Channel 9 and 9Gem. If you prefer a sleep-in, you can watch the Olympic Ceremony for free after it’s happened on the 9Now streaming platform. It can be accessed on your web browser or through your Smart TV, mobile or tablet after downloading the app.
Stan Sport will also broadcast the Olympic Ceremony ad-free, live and on-demand in Australia. You can access Stan Sport here.
You can find out which venues are streaming the Olympics live here, including dedicated screening sites in Sydney and Melbourne.
How long does the Opening Ceremony last?
The Olympics hasn’t released an official schedule, but it’s estimated that the Opening Ceremony will last 3.5-4 hours.
Who are the Australian Olympic flag bearers in the Opening Ceremony 2024?
Paddler Jessica Fox and hockey veteran Eddie Ockenden have been named as dual flag bearers for Australia.
Who is performing at the Opening Ceremony?
Vocal powerhouse Celine Dion will perform Édith Piaf’s classic ‘La Vie en Rose,’ marking her second Olympic Opening Ceremony performance. She sang ‘The Power of the Dream’ at the 1996 Atlanta Games. American pop icon Lady Gaga will also grace the stage, along with France's most listened-to singer, Aya Nakamura.
You can also expect a feast of French musical talent, including a duet between pianist Sofiane Pamart and singer Juliette Armanet, a B2B set featuring singer Philippe Katerine and drummer Cerrone, and an intriguingly ‘original’ collaboration between opera singer Marina Viotti and eco-metal band Gojira. Parisian rapper Rim'K, from hip-hop band 113, will also make an appearance.
Who are the Olympic torch bearers?
The Olympic torch began its journey on April 16, in a ceremony held at the original Olympic Games site in Greece. A staggering 11,000 torch bearers, ranging from sportspeople to ordinary French citizens, have been tasked with carrying the Olympic flame this year. The torch travelled through France’s 64 territories before landing in Paris on July 14. A star-studded cast has been selected to carry the torch on its final route, including actress Salma Hayek and rapper Snoop Dogg.
It’s tradition to end the torch relay by igniting the Olympic cauldron, which will be done by the final torchbearer at the Jardins du Trocadéro Stadium, just over the Seine opposite the Eiffel Tower.
What happens during the Opening Ceremony?
The parade will begin at the Austerlitz Bridge, with boats departing from 7.30pm local Paris time. It will then continue west for six kilometres along the Seine, passing by landmarks, including the Notre Dame and Louvre, as well as game venues, like the Esplanade des Invalides and the Grand Palais.
The parade will end in front of the Trocadéro – the esplanade across from the Eiffel Tower – where the Olympic cauldron will be lit and the Paris 2024 Games officially declared open.
What Olympic events are happening in week one?
The 2024 Olympics will encompass 329 medal events across 32 sports. However, most events in Paris will take place between 7pm and 7am AEST.
The first events technically begin two days before the Opening Ceremony with preliminary handball, archery, football and rugby sevens games commencing on July 24 and July 25. Here’s our succinct rundown of events to watch in week one:
Friday, July 26
- Football (women’s): Australia vs. Germany – 3am AEST
Saturday, July 27
- Artistic gymnastics (men’s qualification) – 7pm AEST
- Badminton – 4.30-11.40pm AEST
- Basketball (men’s): Australia vs. Spain – 7pm AEST
- Beach volleyball – 10pm AEST
- Boxing – 11.30pm AEST
- Canoe slalom– 11pm AEST
- Cycling road (women’s) – 10.30pm AEST
- Diving (women’s) – 7pm AEST
- Equestrian – 5.30pm AEST
- Fencing – 6pm AEST
- Hockey: Australia vs. Argentina – 9.15pm AEST
- Judo – 6pm AEST
- Rowing – 5pm AEST
- Rugby sevens (men’s) – 10.30pm AEST
- Shooting – 5pm AEST
- Skateboarding (men’s) – 8pm AEST
- Swimming – 7pm AEST
- Table tennis – 11pm AEST
- Tennis – 8pm AEST
When is the Olympic Closing Ceremony?
You’ll also need to prepare for a super early start if you want to tune into the Olympic Closing Ceremony on Sunday, August 11. This falls on Monday, August 12 in Australia at:
- 2am AWST – WA
- 3.30am ACST – NT, SA
- 4am AEST – ACT, QLD, NSW, VIC, TAS
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