There is only one day left of the 2024 Summer Olympics, and all eyes are on Paris. Athletes from around the world have descended on the city for the chance to bring home a medal for their country, and you can watch every minute of it from home. We've combed through all of the global watch options and compiled everything you need to know about how to watch the Olympics, including free streaming options around the world.
Select events, such as first-round football and handball games, started early, but the Summer Olympics didn't officially commence until after the star-studded Opening Ceremony along the Seine on Friday, July 26. Now, most of the biggest sports — including track and field, basketball, and diving — are wrapping up or completed, with the Olympics slated to conclude with the Closing Ceremony on August 11.
Gymnast Simone Biles, swimmer Katie Ledecky, tennis player Novak Djokovic, sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson, marathoner Eliud Kipchoge, and basketball legends LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Diana Taurasi are just a few of the can't-miss athletes competing in Paris. In addition to the long-standing events that have dominated the Olympics for over a century, like athletics and swimming, Paris has also introduced Olympic breaking (breakdancing) into the mix. Other newer events that have made a return after debuting at the Tokyo Olympics include skateboarding, sport climbing, 3x3 basketball, and surfing.
No matter where you are in the world, we'll show you how to watch the Olympics. And keep an eye on our streaming section for more guides on specific sports and events.
- See also: How to watch Olympic track and field | Where to watch Olympic football | Where to watch Olympic basketball
How to watch the Olympics in the US
The Olympics will air on various NBCUniversal platforms in the United States, including NBC, USA, E!, and Peacock. Peacock will be your cheapest option, with plans starting at just $7.99 a month, and will serve as a bonafide hub for all events. If you miss an event, you can also watch it on-demand here. You can upgrade to ad-free on-demand content for $13.99 or try an annual plan, which offers savings across both tiers.
Peacock is a convenient streaming source for hit NBC TV shows, Universal movies, and select sports like Sunday Night Football. The service also carries its own slate of original programming.
If you'd rather watch NBC, USA, and E! through traditional methods and don't have cable, you can try out a live TV package like Sling TV or Fubo. When it comes to Sling, you'll need to subscribe to Sling Blue to get NBC, USA, and E! Sling has fairly selective local channel coverage, so you should look up your zip code before subscribing to ensure you will be able to stream NBC in your region. Sling subscriptions start at $40 a month, but the service often offers introductory promos that will knock a few bucks off your first month if you're a new user.
For just the essentials without any extra fluff, Sling TV is the streaming service you're looking for. It's more customizable than other plans, with three options you can choose from, so you pay for only what you need. New members often get a chunky discount on their first month.
Fubo is another solid live TV cable alternative that carries NBC, USA, and E!, in addition to more than 180 other channels. It's a particularly sports-friendly service. Subscriptions cost $79.99 a month, but new customers can get a one-week free trial right now.
Fubo is the streaming service for sports fans. Its huge library of channels includes regional and international sports leagues, setting it apart from the competition. You can also tack on additional programming to your plan, but it'll cost you extra.
How to watch the Olympics in the UK
Olympic coverage will look a little bit different in the UK this year. While lots of coverage will be available for free on BBC and BBC iPlayer, Eurosport has the rights to full Olympic coverage this year. If you're only looking to watch something specific, it'll be worth checking the BBC TV guide to see if it's available and, if not, signing up for Eurosport. BBC iPlayer is free to use and only requires account creation. Eurosport subscriptions through Discovery+ start at £3.99 a month.
How to watch the Olympics in Australia
Extensive Olympic coverage will be available through 9Now in Australia. Viewers just need to make a free account, and they'll be good to go. For Olympic fans who want to watch every single event of every sport, Stan Sport will offer complete coverage of all parts of the Olympics. Base Stan subscriptions start at $12 a month, and Olympic coverage requires the $ 15-a-month Sport Add-on for a total of $27 (although new users can try the base portion of Stan, not the add-on part, free for 30 days).
How to watch the Olympics in Canada
Select Olympic coverage will be available to live stream through CBC Gem in Canada. This is a free streaming option that only requires account creation to use. The service will offer coverage of major events, including the Opening Ceremony and any medal moments that Canadians might be a part of. Replays will also be available to stream on-demand for viewers who miss part of the competition.
How to watch the Olympics in France
The Paris Olympics will fittingly be available to watch on France.TV in France. People just need to create a free account and they'll be able to stream the games in one place. Some events will be missing, but the service offers pretty comprehensive coverage, especially when it comes to French teams.
How to watch the Olympics from anywhere
If you'll be away from Australia, the UK, or France at any point during the Olympics and still want to keep up with the free streaming options, you can do so using a VPN. Short for virtual private networks, VPNs let you temporarily change your device's virtual location, allowing you to use your usual websites from anywhere. They're especially popular among people looking to boost their online privacy and keep up with their usual apps while traveling abroad.
Our go-to recommendation is ExpressVPN, an easy-to-use option with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Check out our ExpressVPN review for additional information, and keep reading to learn how to use it.
With its consistent performance, reliable security, and expansive global streaming features, ExpressVPN is the best VPN out there, excelling in every spec and offering many advanced features that make it exceptional. Better yet, you can save more than 60% right now and get up to four months free.
How to watch the Olympics with a VPN
- Sign up for a VPN if you don't already have one.
- Install it on the device you're using to watch the event.
- Turn it on and set it to the location of the streaming service.
- Go to 9Now (Australia), France.TV (France), or BBC iPlayer (UK) and create a login if necessary.
- Enjoy the Olympics.
How to watch the Opening Ceremony
The Olympics Opening Ceremony was held on Friday, July 26, at 1:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. BST / 1:30 a.m. AWST (Saturday). The ceremony occurred over a four-hour-long period on the River Seine in Paris, France. Athletes floated down the river on boats, and LeBron James and Coco Gauff were flagbearers for the US team.
In addition to the iconic Parade of Nations, there were several performances, including musical acts from Lady Gaga and Celine Dion. French President Emmanuel Macron spoke, and beloved Olympic figures like Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal made appearances. If you missed the Opening Ceremony, most of the options we've outlined above allow you to stream it on-demand.
How to watch the Closing Ceremony
The Olympics Closing Ceremony will be held on Sunday, August 11, at 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. BST / 3 a.m. AWST (Monday). The ceremony will take place at the Stade de France and last about two hours. It will feature a final farewell to the participating athletes and countries. This time around, Katie Ledecky and Nick Mead will be flagbearers for the US. The event will also showcase an official passing of the Olympic flag to the host of the next Summer Olympics — Los Angeles, USA, in 2028. Viewers can watch the Closing Ceremony through any of the above options we've highlighted.
When are the Paralympics?
The Paralympics start a little over two weeks after the Olympics conclude. They're scheduled to take place from August 28 to September 8, 2024 in Paris, France. There are 22 Paralympic sporting events, including para athletics, para swimming, goalball, and wheelchair basketball, among others. The Paralympics will be streamable through similar channels, including options like Peacock and NBC in the US.
Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.
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