Let the Games begin: How to watch the Olympic opening ceremony from Paris, including free options

Thousands of athletes from around the world have gathered in Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. Now it’s time for viewers to see the culmination of years of intensive training. On Friday, July 26, the opening ceremony kicks things off. Here’s what you need to know beforehand and how to tune in.

A brief history

The games have ancient Greek origins dating back to 776 BC, held every four years in honor of the god Zeus. Roman Emperor Theodosius I ended this practice in AD 393 because he did not like the worship of pagan gods.

Baron Pierre de Coubertin was instrumental in restoring the Games in 1894. He organized the first Olympic Congress, which then created the International Olympic Committee.

The first modern games were held in Athens in 1896. In 1900, the Games were held in Paris, and women were allowed to compete for the first time.

American athletes to watch in 2024

There are many impressive athletes competing for Team USA. Olympic veteran Simone Biles is back and looking for more gold in gymnastics after withdrawing from the competition in Tokyo due to mental health reasons.

In athletics, all eyes are on world champion runner Noah Lyles, a favorite not only for his speed but also for his high-class personality. Going into the games, he broke his personal record in the 100 meters at the Diamond League meet in London. He came from behind to win, clocking in at 9.81 seconds.

Across the pond, the hopes of America rest on the shoulders of Katie Ledecky. She is no stranger to the spotlight, having gained prominence at the age of 15 at the London Games in 2012 when she took gold in the 800m freestyle. The 27-year-old swimmer holds seven Olympic gold medals and 21 world titles.

In men’s basketball, Team USA is favored to win its fifth straight gold medal. The impressive roster is filled with veterans like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry. New faces Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton will also bring their A game to the court.

In women’s basketball, Team USA is aiming for an eighth gold medal with the likes of Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner. If the women win this year, they will surpass the men’s record for consecutive gold medals.

What’s new about the opening ceremony in 2024?

This year’s opening ceremony continues outside the box. This event will not be on the field for the first time. Athletes and coaches will float down the Seine River in the parade, taking in many historic sites along the way.

Spectators will not be charged an entrance fee to watch from the riverbank. Thomas Jolly serves as the event’s artistic director. French President Emmanuel Macron will conclude the evening with a speech.

When is the Olympic opening ceremony?

There are several options for tuning into the opening ceremonies from the US:

• Coverage will begin at noon ET.
• The event itself is scheduled to begin at 1:30 pm ET.

If you work and just want to catch the highlights of the night, tune in at 7:30 pm ET/MT/PT.

How can I watch or stream the Olympic opening ceremony?

The official network of the Olympic Games is NBC. This means that if you have an aerial and reception you will be ready to go and can catch all the action for free.

Peacock is a network streaming service, unfortunately it doesn’t offer a free trial. You can also catch the Olympics on NBC through a TV streaming service that offers the network as part of a bundle, some of which offer free trials:

• A sling
• YouTube TV
• Hulu+ Live TV
• Fubo

Finally, you can stream the games on the go with the NBC app and the NBC Olympics app. NBCOlympics.com and NBC.com are streaming website options as well. You will need to sign in with your pay TV provider to use these options.

The NBC Olympics website will provide free daily highlights.