The opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics is set for Friday, marking a historic shift in tradition. Instead of a standard stadium march, approximately 6,800 athletes will parade on more than 90 boats along the Seine River, spanning 6 kilometers (3.7 miles). This unique procession will initiate the ceremony, rather than conclude it.
When and Where to Watch
Start Time: The ceremony kicks off at 1:30 p.m. EDT / 7:30 p.m. CEST and is expected to last over three hours.
Location: The parade begins at the Austerlitz Bridge near the Jardin des Plantes, traveling east to west along the Seine. The route passes around two central city islands, under several bridges, and by key Olympic venues such as La Concorde Urban Park, Invalides, and the Grand Palais. The procession ends at the Iena Bridge, connecting the Eiffel Tower to the Trocadéro district. The ceremony’s finale, including opening remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron, will take place at the Trocadéro.
How to watch
The opening ceremony will be broadcast live on NBC and streamed on Peacock and NBC’s Olympic platforms — NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, the NBC app, and the NBC Olympics app. A preview airs on NBC at noon EDT, followed by live coverage at 1:30 p.m., with an enhanced prime-time encore at 7:30 p.m.
Spectator details
Around 220,000 invited and security-screened spectators will line the upper tiers of the Seine’s banks. An additional 104,000 paying spectators will watch from the lower riverside and around the Trocadéro plaza. For those in Paris without tickets, 80 giant screens will broadcast the ceremony throughout the city.
Potential disruptions
A major disruption in the train network due to what officials are calling “criminal fires” near the tracks has thrown Paris into uncertainty just hours before the ceremony. However, there are no immediate indications that this will affect the ceremony’s start.
Performers and entertainment
In addition to the athletes, the ceremony will feature 3,000 dancers, artists, and other performers. While most acts remain undisclosed, NBC News reported sightings of Celine Dion and Lady Gaga in Paris, fueling speculation that they may perform.
Weather contingencies
Light showers hit Paris on Friday morning, with more expected during the ceremony. With no roof over the Seine, onlookers and athletes are likely to get wet. Despite the rain forecast, the ceremony is expected to proceed as planned.