Top: The Opening Ceremony of the Games – Olympics
In 2024, the City of Light will host the world’s largest sporting event again, 100 years after the first Paris Olympics. Though almost 2 years away, early preparation is key! Here’s everything you need to know about the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Key Dates
We already know it’s in 2024, but when exactly? The Olympic Games will be from July 26 to August 11, 2024. The Paralympic Games are from August 28 to September 8, 2024.
What’s New
There will be 32 different sporting categories and over 306 events. Breaking, a competitive form of breakdancing, makes its Olympic debut in Paris, in order to forge a more gender-balanced, urban, and youthful festival.
Another first: the same emblem will be used for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The new face of the Games is the unity of three symbols: the gold medal, the flame, and Marianne— the embodiment of the French Republic.
Opening Ceremony
600,000 spectators are expected for the opening ceremony. The Seine will host the parade, with onlookers strategically placed on the lower and upper quays of the river. This 6 kilometres course, between Pont d’Austerlitz and Pont d’léna, is around 10 times bigger than an Olympic stadium! The breathtaking finale is set to take place at the stunning Place du Trocadéro.
To attend sur place, paid seating will be up for grabs on the lower banks and on selected bridges and areas. Stay tuned for information about pricing and ticket sales. The upper banks will be accessible to the public for free. 80 massive screens are to be placed throughout the path so everyone can stay tuned and enjoy.
Game Schedule and Locations
Day 1 is July 27th, immediately after the opening ceremony. Cycling will be dispersed all over the streets of Paris while judo would take place at the Champ-de-Mars Aréna, behind the Eiffel Tower. The historic Grand Palais shall host fencing and the La Défense Aréna is going to be the site for swimming. Skateboarders will compete at the celebrated Place de la Concorde. The Stade de France is home to rugby sevens whereas, not too far from the stadium, diving will be held at the Aquatics Centre— the latter being the only permanent sports venue specifically built for the Paris 2024 Games.
Tahiti, the largest island in French Polynesia, will host the surfing competition. This marks the farthest Olympic event held outside the host city.
Tickets
More than 10 million tickets will be available including 3.4 million tickets devoted to the Paralympics. For the first time ever, ticket sales will be exclusively online and accessible around the world.
Ticket sales for the general public comes in phases. The first one is a lottery and it opens at the end of this year. This serves as a fair way to purchase packages for attending multiple competitions given the worldwide demand. If you don’t win, do not fret! After this, ticket packs will go on sale in February 2023 while single tickets will be sold starting in May 2023. Finally, the remaining tickets will be available at the end of 2023. Prices for all Olympic sports start at €24.
As for the Paralympics, ticket sales begin in Fall 2023. Prices start at €15 each. The Games promote inclusion and universal accessibility to people with disabilities.
Sign up to Le Club Paris 2024 to increase your chance of gaining priority access when ticket sales open.
Related Links
- Book your lodging early before things fill up! Check out these rentals on our Marketplace
- Need more info on the Olympics? Check out the official website for the Paris 2024 Games
- The Games will be in Summer 2024. Make sure you got the French Summer Holiday Essentials!
Written by Maikka Piquemal for HIP Paris. Looking to travel? Check out Plum Guide and our Marketplace for fabulous vacation rentals in Paris, France or Italy. Looking to rent long or short term, or buy in France? Ask us! We can connect you to our trusted providers for amazing service and rates or click here. Looking to bring France home to you or to learn online or in person? Check out our marketplace shop and experiences.
