2024 Olympics start date, location, where to find last-minute tickets and how much they cost?

The 2024 Olympics start date is approaching, and fans and athletes look forward to an exciting show in Paris, France. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) chose the French capital to host the Games at the 131st IOC Session in Lima, Peru, on 13 September 2017.

Paris hosted the Games in 1900 and 1924, making it the second city, alongside London, to host the games thrice. London hosted the events in 1908, 1948, and 2012. This article reveals details of the 2024 Olympics' start date, location, where to find last-minute tickets, and their costs.

When does the Paris 2024 Olympics start?

The international multi-sport event will begin on 26 July and continue until 11 August 2024. According to the International Olympic Committee's website, approximately 10,500 athletes from 206 countries will compete in these summer games.

The 2024 Olympics location and host city

France will host the event, with Paris as the central city. Sixteen other cities across Metropolitan France will also host the event, plus one site in Tahiti, part of French Polynesia.

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The opening ceremony will take place on 26 July, starting at 7:30 p.m. CET (10:30 a.m. in Los Angeles, 2:30 p.m. in Rio de Janeiro, 6:30 p.m. in London, and 8:30 p.m. in Athens). Unlike traditional stadium ceremonies, it will be a four-mile-long floating procession down the Seine River.

The closing ceremony is scheduled for 11 August 2024 at Stade de France. The Mirror states that due to safety concerns, tourists will not be allowed at the opening ceremony; tickets for a reduced crowd of just over 300,000 are reserved for dignitaries and residents.

How many sporting events will there be in the tournament?

The 2024 Summer Olympics will include 329 events in 32 sports, featuring the 28 "core" sports from 2016 and 2020, plus four optional sports proposed by the Paris Organising Committee. Breaking will debut as a sport in the tournament, while skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing return in 2020. Weightlifting will see four events cut.

Two sprint events have been replaced by two slalom events in canoeing, maintaining the total at 16. In sport climbing, the "combined" event has been divided into separate speed climbing and boulder & lead disciplines for each gender.

The 2024 Olympics tickets cost

Ten million tickets will be available for the 2024 Paris Olympics. One million tickets will start at around $26 for all sports, including track and field. Almost half of the tickets available to the general public will cost about $54 or less.

The 2024 Olympics' last-minute tickets cost

In April, organisers released approximately 250,000 tickets online to mark the 100-day countdown to the start of the Games. These tickets sell on a first-come, first-served basis and cover 31 of the 32 sports—excluding the non-ticketed surfing program in Teahupo'o Reef Pass, Tahiti, 9,750 miles away.

According to The Guardian, the super-rich purchase packages cost $500,000, including accommodation and tickets to exclusive events. However, there are more affordable options to attend certain Olympic events. Organisers state that over half of the tickets will be priced below €100 ($106), with 20,000 tickets available for less than $26.

Where can one purchase a ticket?

Supporters are advised to purchase tickets exclusively from the official website, tickets.paris2024.org, as resale sites face strict enforcement measures. The organising committee emphasises its right to deny entry to those with tickets from unauthorised sources.

Purchasing tickets from scalpers may lead to legal consequences, including potential detention at the nearest gendarmerie station. While standard seats for events like athletics and swimming are anticipated to sell out, hospitality packages above $2,500 are still available.

How much will the tournament cost?

Bloomberg estimates the cost of the 2024 games to be around $8.5 billion. Almost all (96%) of the funding to organise the tournament comes from the private sector, including contributions from the IOC, partner companies, the Games ticket office, and licensing.

How to watch the Olympic Games Paris 2024

Eurosport, owned by Warner Bros. Discovery (formerly Discovery Inc.), holds the domestic rights to the 2024 tournament, with France Télévisions airing some events. Its streaming service, Max, launched in France ahead of the Games on 11 June 2024, will offer free Olympic coverage to subscribers.

NBC and Telemundo will also provide extensive coverage from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET daily, with additional events airing on USA Network, Golf Channel, CNBC, and E!. Peacock will livestream every Olympic Games Paris 2024 event, including the opening and closing ceremonies and all Olympic basketball games.

If these channels are not included in your cable TV package or do not have cable, streaming options with an internet provider, offer accessible ways to watch this 2024 summer event.

Trivia

For the first time in Olympic history, female athletes will have equal spots as their male counterparts. This summer's event will mark a historic milestone with full gender parity across all events. Here are some frequently asked questions.

Where is the 2024 Olympics schedule?

How many sports are in the Olympics in 2024?

Where is the opening ceremony for the 2024 Olympics?

The opening ceremony will take place outdoors, along the banks of the River Seine and even through its waters.

Final word

The 2024 Olympics in France starts this July. Whether you plan to attend in person or watch from home, we have analysed all the activities to keep you informed. Take the opportunity to prepare financially and decide how you will experience this exciting event.

Sports Brief published an article about the most-watched Olympic sport in the world. Fans devote many hours and days to watching particular competitions and supporting their favourite teams.

The Olympics is the cornerstone of sport, featuring the best athletes from around the globe competing for Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals. Click the above link to read more!