NBCU's 2024 Olympic Games Coverage Will Embrace the Charm of Paris

March 12, 2024

Bringing the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony to Life

Get ready for an Olympics Opening Ceremony like no other as Paris welcomes the world.  

As the City of Light prepares to host athletes from 206 countries around the world, the organizing committee wanted to come up with an Opening Ceremony that was bold, original, and unique. Get ready for many firsts in what is sure to be a dazzling spectacle. 

Paris 2024 will have more programming hours on the NBC broadcast network than any previous Olympics, and in a Summer Games first for Peacock, the service will stream every sport and event, including all 329 medal events, for over 5,000 hours of live coverage. Numerous NBCU cable networks and Spanish-network Telemundo will also carry coverage. 

An Olympic Parade on the Seine River

For the first time in the history of the Summer Games, the Opening Ceremony will not take place in a stadium. Instead, the athletes and performers will float down six kilometers of the River Seine on approximately 160 boats, giving those on board a glimpse of some of the city’s most famous landmarks, including Notre Dame, Place de la Concorde, the Grand Palais, Les Invalides, and more. The parade will come to an end at the Trocadéro for the ceremony’s grand finale.  

Will the 2024 Olympic Opening Ceremony be Free and Open to the Public?

In another first for the Opening Ceremony, hundreds of thousands of spectators will be able to attend the festivities along the banks of the Seine. Eighty giant screens will be placed strategically along the parade route, allowing everyone present to enjoy the show from every angle. The event will be open to all, including the residents of the city, the citizens of France, and visitors from around the world. The 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony will be the largest in history.  

When is the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony?

The Opening Ceremony will be held on July 26, 2024. The entire ceremony will be live on NBC and Peacock.  

Mark your calendars for what is sure to be one of the most memorable events in Olympics history — an Opening Ceremony coursing through the heart of the French capital. We can’t wait to see what they do for the Closing Ceremony!  

Paris Shines in New NBCU Promos

From Peyton Manning soaring across the Eiffel Tower in a flying baguette to Megan Thee Stallion traversing the town with a fire-breathing horse, check out these hilarious star-studded NBC Olympics promos. 

Iconic Paris Venues on Display at the 2024 Olympics 

During the Games, fans both in-person and watching at home on NBC and Peacock will be able to enjoy the sights of the city as a charming backdrop to the athletic competitions. From the center Paris to its borders and beyond, some of the most historic venues in the world will be the settings to this summer's marquee matchups.  

Beach Volleyball at the Eiffel Tower Stadium 

Immerse yourself in the allure of Paris at the Eiffel Tower Stadium, where beach volleyball takes center stage. Set against the iconic backdrop of the Eiffel Tower, the Champ de Mars transforms into a stunning outdoor arena, offering spectators an up-close experience with the famous landmark built for the 1889 World’s Fair. 

Fencing and Taekwondo at the Grand Palais des Champs-Élysées 

Step into the grandeur of the Grand Palais des Champs-Élysées, a cherished Parisian event center since its construction in 1900. Under its fanciful glass roof, the Grand Palais will host fencing and taekwondo events during the 2024 Olympics. Athletes may find the venue familiar, as it previously hosted the World Fencing Championships in 2010. 

Olympic Field Hockey at Yves-du-Manoir Stadium 

The historic Stade Yves-du-Manoir holds a special place in Olympic history, being the only venue in France to host the Games twice. Once the site of the 1924 Summer Olympics opening ceremony, it has since hosted major championships for various sports. This year, it welcomes the Olympic Field hockey competition, continuing its rich Olympic legacy. 

Surfing in a Tahitian Paradise 

Escape to the tropical beauty of Teahupo’o, Tahiti, an island in French Polynesia, for the surfing events. Renowned for its world-class waves and hosting prestigious surfing competitions like the Tahiti Pro, Teahupo’o offers a unique offsite experience for the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

Olympic Sailing in the Mediterranean Sea 

Tahiti isn't the only offsite location the summer 2024 Games will take viewers! Athletes will travel to Marseille, a French city in the Mediterranean with a rich boating history, to participate in sailing events. 

Equestrian Events at the Palace of Versailles 

In keeping with its regal tradition, the Palace of Versailles will host several equestrian events, including the dressage test and jumping disciplines as well as the dressage test and jumping competitions. Five modern pentathlon events will also be held at the chateau. 

Archery at the Esplanade des Invalides 

The Esplanade des Invalides, the sprawling green garden that welcomes you to the renowned Hôtel des Invalides, will act as the site for the summer 2024 archery and para-archery events. 

Urban Sports at the Revamped Place de la Concorde 

Place de la Concorde, the home of the Tuileries Gardens and the Champs-Elysées, will become an extensive urban park in the heart of Paris for the summer 2024 Games. Not only will the park host the breaking, BMX freestyle and skateboarding, and 3x3 basketball competition events, but also live entertainment and music. 

A Spectator Vantage Point at Trocadéro 

Offering visitors a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower, Trocadéro will serve as a viewing platform for audience and press members during the Games. Make sure to look out for this tourist hotspot during the road cycling and athletics (20 km race walk) events!  

Olympics Medals with a Parisian Twist

This year, Athletes winning gold, silver, and bronze will get to take a piece of history home with them. Over the almost two centuries the Eiffel Tower has stood since its completion in 1889, it has undergone extensive renovations, during some of which pieces of scrap metal from the structure were removed and stored. Placing athletes will have the privilege of winning some of these Parisian heirlooms for themselves!  

Olympic Mascots! The Phryges, a French symbol of Freedom

The two adorable, albeit oddly-shaped, mascots for the summer 2024 Paris Olympics are the Phryges! These red Phrygian caps have a long history in France, representing freedom during times of revolution. The Phryges will bring a revolution to sport this summer in a city renowned for its revolutionary history!