The highly anticipated event will take place on 26 July, marking the start of an Olympic Games that will run through 11 August. Here’s everything you need to know about the Opening Ceremony as Inside The Games eagerly count down to this highly anticipated event.

When will the showpiece take place?

The Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is scheduled for Friday, 26 July. The festivities will begin at 19:30 CEST and are anticipated to last over three hours, with the city having already lockdown specific areas.

What is so special about this Opening Ceremony?

Paris 2024 will make history as the first Olympic Summer Games to hold the Opening Ceremony outside a stadium. Instead of the usual scenes of athletes marching around an athletics track, attendees and viewers will enjoy a vibrant river parade through the heart of the French capital.

The Seine, the city's main waterway, will replace the traditional track, with the quays serving as spectator stands. The setting sun reflecting off iconic Parisian landmarks will create a stunning backdrop for the event. After numerous tests, including Mayor Anne Hidalgo even taking a dip, it is ready to host.

What is the route of the parade?

The parade route along the Seine will offer a visual journey through Parisian history and architecture. Starting at the Austerlitz Bridge next to the Jardin des Plantes, the flotilla will travel west for six kilometers along the Seine, passing under historic bridges and iconic landmarks like Notre-Dame and the Louvre. It will also pass some Games venues, including the Esplanade des Invalides and the Grand Palais.

Grouped with their national teams on the boats, the athletes will ultimately arrive opposite the Trocadero, the esplanade across from the Eiffel Tower, where the official protocols will be conducted, the Olympic cauldron will be lit, and the Paris 2024 Games will be officially declared open.

How many athletes will be involved?

Nearly 100 boats, carrying approximately 10,500 athletes, will float along the Seine during the parade. The larger of the 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) will have their own boats, while the smaller ones will share vessels.

Will there be entertainment and who are the creators?

Thomas Jolly, a French theatre director, is the artistic director for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies. While details are under wraps, the show promises a grand blend of traditional and modern elements, reflecting France's diverse cultural landscape.

Ceremonies choreographer Maud Le Pladec has announced that every bridge along the parade route will feature dancers. She will lead 400 of the 3,000 artists participating in the ceremonies, all dressed in unique costumes designed by Daphne Burki.

Burki, a French television presenter and the costume director, is overseeing a team of dressmakers, hair stylists, and makeup artists. Her commitment to sustainability includes using vintage and upcycled materials alongside new designs.