Paris 2024 Olympics: The action starts with football and rugby
As we enter the final seconds of the countdown to Paris 2024, anticipation reaches an all-time high.
Although the Olympic Games will officially open with the grand Opening Ceremony on 26 July, Olympic fans won’t have to wait that long to enjoy the action.
Football and rugby sevens will kick off the festivities on 24 July, with some of the top teams and players already making appearances on day one. Don't miss this exhilarating start to the Olympic Games in Paris.
The Stade de France, a main Olympic venue, has a seating capacity of over 80,000 and was built for the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
Football takes the field early
The moment the first whistle pierces the air, Paris 2024 springs to life and the world's best football players enter into battle.
The stands are sure to be roaring from the start as host nation France plays its first Olympic match on 24 July, their men facing the United States.
Tokyo 2020 silver medallists and freshly crowned European champions Spain will also take to the field on the first day, facing Uzbekistan in their Olympic debut.
The reigning Olympic champions from Canada will kick off the women’s football tournament on 25 July, playing their first match in Pool A against New Zealand.
Another standout match will see Sweden, the silver medallists from Tokyo 2020, clash with the dynamic Australian team, who are hungry for success after narrowly missing the podium three years ago.
Rugby sevens: Excitement reaches a fever pitch
Rugby sevens will also begin on 24 July with the men’s preliminary stages, while the women’s competition is set to start on 28 July.
A total of 288 of the world’s best men’s and women’s rugby players will compete for the coveted Olympic title, currently in the hands of Fiji (for the men) and New Zealand (for the women).
The men’s rugby sevens competition promises intense battles from the outset, with all three men's medalling teams from Tokyo 2020 taking to the pitch on the first day.
Fiji, the reigning champions of men’s rugby sevens from both Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, are determined to secure a third straight Olympic gold. Their path, however, is far from easy.
Hosts France, spearheaded by rugby star Antoine Dupont, are fresh off a victory in the 2024 World Rugby Sevens Series Grand Final and look to end Fiji's golden streak on home turf.
Silver medallists New Zealand will take on Japan on 24 July, as Samoa will have a challenging start to their debut in Pool B, facing the Tokyo 2020 silver medallists Argentina.
The early start of football and rugby sevens provides a thrilling appetizer to the Olympic feast to begin a few days later. Fans can expect top teams clashing right from the start, with star players gracing the pitch and field, making every match a crucial battle.
So, let the Games begin!
How to watch Paris 2024 rugby sevens and football live
All the action from Paris 2024, including rugby sevens and football, can be watched via media rights holders (MRHs).
MRHs include Nine in Australia, Globo in Brazil, CBC in Canada, CCTV in People's Republic of China, Fuji TV/NHK/Nippon TV/TBS/TV Asahi/TV Tokyo in Japan, SKY NZ in New Zealand, SuperSport in South Africa, NBC in the United States and Discovery Eurosport across Europe, alongside France Télévisions in France, ARD/ZDF in Germany and BBC Sport in the United Kingdom, among others.
Check listings in other regions for your local broadcaster.