Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony: Who is performing? When does it start? How to watch?

Virgin Radio

23 Jul 2024, 14:57

The Paris 2024 Olympics are just a hop, skip and a jump away - but what is the city of love planning for its all-important opening ceremony?

While everyone largely knows what to expect from the Olympics and Paralympics’ roster of events, each Olympics host city prides itself on providing a unique take on the games, and this is often highlighted by their opening ceremony shows.

Paris 2024 aims to be no different, with an historic special ceremony planned which will take place outside of its host city’s main Olympics stadium. Get all the details below…

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What time is the Olympics Opening Ceremony in Paris in 2024?

The Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony will begin at 6.30pm in the UK (7.30pm in Paris) on Friday 26th July, 2024.

The show is hoping to officially open the games at exactly 20:24 CEST as a nod to the games being the 2024 Olympics.

How can I watch the Olympics 2024 Opening Ceremony in the UK?

The 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony will be available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Coverage of the ceremony will begin at 5.45pm.

During the games, sports fans can tune into the talkSPORT’s coverage of events on talkSPORT, talkSPORT 2 and via the website, talkSPORT.com. 

Who will be performing at the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony?

Rumours and some reports suggest popstars Lady Gaga and Céline Dion will make surprise appearance during the show to perform a duet of the Édith Piaf classic 'La Vie en Rose', although nothing has been confirmed from either of their teams, nor those behind the ceremony.

Other performers expected for the ceremony include French singer superstar Aya Nakamura; the pianist Sofiane Pamart and singer Juliette Armanet; singer Philippe Katerine and drummer Cerrone; eco-metal band Gojira and opera singer Mariana Viotti; plus the hip hop band 113; Time Out reports.

Stage director Thomas Jolly is the artistic director for Paris 2024’s Olympics and Paralympics opening ceremonies.

Paris 2024’s opening ceremony plans are very different from past ceremonies such as London’s, Rio’s or Tokyo’s in 2021, as the city is for the first time in history hosting its opening celebrations outside of a stadium.

Instead, the ceremony will take place along the Seine, with this year’s athlete’s parade and other ceremony events taking place on boats which will float past landmarks including the Louvre museum, the Place de la Concorde, and Notre Dame Cathedral.

Tune in to the Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony on Friday 26th July on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 5.45pm BST.