After weeks of intense competition, the 2024 Paris Olympics are coming to a close. Unlike the grand spectacle of the opening ceremony, which took place along the Seine River, the closing ceremony will follow a more traditional format at the Stade de France, an 80,000-seat stadium that has hosted numerous historic events during these Games.
As the curtain falls on the Paris Games, the Stade de France will be transformed into a vibrant stage filled with artists, dancers, acrobats, and surprise performers. The event will not only celebrate the achievements of the athletes but also mark the transition to the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
When is the Closing Ceremony?
The closing ceremony will take place on Sunday. Coverage begins with a live preshow at 2 p.m. ET on NBC, featuring a recap of the most memorable moments from the 2024 Olympics. The main ceremony will start at 3 p.m. ET and is expected to last just over two hours. For those who miss the live broadcast, an encore telecast will air during prime time. Additionally, a special broadcast focusing on the 2028 Los Angeles Games will air at 10 p.m. ET.
How to Watch the Ceremony
You can watch the closing ceremony on NBC, Peacock, and NBC Olympics. It will also be available on local NBC channels. For specific TV listings, check the NBC Olympics schedule page.
What to Expect at the Closing Ceremony
Details about the closing ceremony have been kept mostly under wraps, but it promises to be a spectacular event. The Paris 2024 Olympic committee has announced that the ceremony will feature over a hundred performers, including acrobats, dancers, and circus artists. Thomas Jolly, the artistic director responsible for both the opening and closing ceremonies, has revealed that the theme will be “Records.”
The ceremony will include the traditional parade of athletes, the display of participating nations’ flags, and the lowering of the Olympic flag. A key highlight will be the handover of the Olympic flag from Paris to Los Angeles, symbolizing the transition to the 2028 Games. Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo will pass the flag to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. The ceremony will also include the extinguishing of the Olympic flame, a poignant moment marking the end of the Games.
Some final medals may also be awarded during the ceremony, and attention will soon turn to the Paralympic Games, which will take place from August 28 to September 8. The Paralympic flame will be lit shortly after the Olympic closing ceremony in Stoke Mandeville, the historic birthplace of Paralympic sport. From August 25 to 28, around 1,000 forerunners will carry the flame through 50 cities across France as part of the Paris 2024 Paralympic torch relay.
Who is Hosting and Performing?
NBC’s Mike Tirico will return as a host, joined by late-night host Jimmy Fallon, sports commentator Terry Gannon, and former Olympic figure skaters Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir. These hosts have previously served during the PyeongChang, Tokyo, and Beijing Games.
Rumors suggest that Los Angeles natives Billie Eilish and the Red Hot Chili Peppers might perform, while French bands Phoenix and Air are expected to take the stage, according to an interview with ceremonies director Thierry Reboul. Actor Tom Cruise, who has been spotted at various Olympic events and is currently filming “Mission: Impossible 8” in Europe, is also rumored to be part of the closing celebration.
Flag Bearers for Team USA
Swimmer Katie Ledecky and rower Nick Mead will be the flag bearers for Team USA during the closing ceremony. Ledecky, the most decorated female Olympian of all time, secured her 14th medal after winning the 800-meter freestyle on August 3, bringing her total to nine gold medals. Mead, alongside teammates Liam Corrigan, Michael Grady, and Justin Best, won gold in the men’s four rowing event, marking the first U.S. victory in this event since 1960.
This closing ceremony promises to be a fitting end to an extraordinary Olympic Games, with a blend of tradition, celebration, and anticipation for the future.
