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 vigorous training. On Friday, July 26, the opening ceremony kicks things off. Here’s what 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 to honor the god Zeus. Roman Emperor Theodosius I put an end to the practice in AD 393 because he didn’t like the worship of pagan gods. 

Baron Pierre de Coubertin was instrumental in bringing the Games back 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 gunning for more gold in gymnastics after withdrawing from the competition in Tokyo for mental health reasons.

In track and field, all eyes are on world champion runner Noah Lyles, a favorite not only for his speed but also his over-the-top personality. Going into the Games, he beat his own 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.

In the pool, America’s hopes sit on Katie Ledecky’s shoulders. She is no stranger to the spotlight, having gained prominence at age 15 at the 2012 London Games when she took home the gold in the 800-meter freestyle. The 27-year-old swimmer holds seven Olympic gold medals and 21 world championship titles.

In men’s basketball, Team USA is favored to win a fifth consecutive gold medal. The impressive roster is packed with veterans such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry. Fresh faces Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton will also bring their A-game to the court.

In women’s basketball, Team USA is aiming for its eighth gold medal with players such as Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner. If the women are victorious this year, they will surpass the men’s record for most consecutive gold medals.

What’s new with the opening ceremony in 2024?

This year’s opening ceremony is going way outside the box. The event will not be held in a stadium for the first time ever. Athletes and coaches will float down the Seine river in a parade, taking in many historic sites along the way.

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

What time is the Olympic opening ceremony?

There are several options for tuning into the opening ceremony festivities from the U.S.:

• Coverage will start at noon ET.
• The ceremony itself is slated to begin at 1:30 p.m. ET.

If you are working and just want to catch the highlights at night, tune in at 7:30 p.m. 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 over-the-air antenna and reception you will be good to go and can catch all the action free.

Peacock is the network’s streaming service, which unfortunately does not 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:

• Sling
• YouTube TV
• Hulu+ Live TV
• Fubo

Finally, you can stream the games on the go with the NBC app and NBC Olympics app. NBCOlympics.com and NBC.com are website streaming options as well. You will need to log in with a pay-TV provider to take advantage of these options.

The NBC Olympics website will offer free daily highlights.