The closing ceremony for the 2024 Paris Olympics will take place this Sunday, August 11 at Stade de France. The event will recognize top athletes from the past two weeks of competition and look back on the impact of the Games. It will also showcase Paris’ rich cultural traditions.
More than 17 days of sports will come to an end with the ceremony. Standout performers like swimmer Léon Marchand, gymnast Simone Biles, pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis and sprinter Noah Lyles will be honored for their achievements. The theme of the ceremony, called “Records,” will reflect on both celebrating records set and the fragility of the Olympic movement.
Thomas Jolly, director of both the opening and closing ceremonies, aims to highlight Paris’ diversity through performances. Drag queens are expected to take part, as they did in the controversial opening ceremony. Jolly said the ceremonies take inspiration from Dionysus, the Greek god of revelry, rather than Christian symbols. Hollywood star Tom Cruise will also appear to symbolize the passing of the Olympic flag to Los Angeles for the 2028 Games.
The ceremonies have sparked debate for pushing boundaries. While some saw religious provocation, defenders note France’s tradition of satire and challenging authority through art. According to a poll, 86% of French viewers approved of the opening ceremony. Féréric Hocquad, Paris’ deputy mayor for nightlife, said the city supports diversity and creative freedom. The LGBTQ+ community has strongly shaped Parisian culture, especially in cabaret and electronic music.
Sunday’s closing ceremony will blend tradition with modernity in culture and art. As the Olympic flag passes to Los Angeles, the Paris Games will be remembered not just for sports but also for projecting an image of an inclusive, progressive city.
How to Watch the Closing Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics for Free
The closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics will take place on Sunday, August 11. This event marks the conclusion of two weeks of global competition and celebration. Viewers around the world have several options to watch the ceremony live or on-demand without any fees.
United States
In the United States, NBC will air the ceremony starting at 3:00 pm Eastern Time. NBC’s streaming service Peacock also allows Americans to watch from their computers, phones or tablets. While Peacock Premium costs money each month, new users can sign up for a free trial.
United Kingdom
British audiences can tune in to BBC One television at 8:00 pm British Summer Time. BBC iPlayer provides a live stream of the ceremony online as well as replays later on demand. As long as viewers have a valid TV license, they can access iPlayer without additional fees.
Australia
Australians get live coverage beginning at 5:00 am Australian Eastern Standard Time on Channel Nine. For those who miss the early morning broadcast, Channel Nine will air a replay in primetime at 9:20 pm. The digital platform 9Now also offers a free live stream and video on demand after the event ends.
Canada
In Canada, CBC begins its broadcast at 3:00 pm Eastern Time. CBC Gem allows Canadians to watch a live stream from any internet-connected device without signing up or paying any subscription costs.
For international travelers away from home during the closing ceremony, using a virtual private network (VPN) allows them to access the live streams on platforms like Peacock, iPlayer and 9Now. Doing so masks their location so the streaming service thinks they are back in their home country.
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