Northern Ireland

What time is the Olympics Closing Ceremony? Where to watch the 2024 Games finale

Everything you need to know ahead of Sunday’s closing ceremony in Paris

Olympics fans are searching for alternate routes to reach Paris for the Opening Ceremony
Olympics fans are searching for alternate routes to reach Paris for the Opening Ceremony (David Davies/PA)
By Mark Robinson

After two weeks of non-stop sporting acting in Paris, the 2024 Olympic Games will officially come to a close tonight in the French capital.

And given the spectacle that was the Opening Ceremony held on the River Seine – controversies included – all eyes will most definitely be fixed on tonight’s follow-up.

Here’s everything you need to know about tonight’s big finale!

What time is the Closing Ceremony?

The Closing Ceremony is scheduled to start at 8pm (UK/IRL) tonight.

Tonight’s ceremony is expected to be shorter than the Opening Ceremony over two weeks ago – it should be wrapped up by 10:30pm.

Former French footballer Zinedine Zidane with the Olympic Flame during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Games. Picture by PA
The Opening Ceremony took place along the River Seine before reaching the Eiffel Tower. (Joel Marklund/PA)

Where can I watch it?

For viewers in the north, BBC One is showing the proceedings with coverage starting at 7pm – an hour before the ceremony begins.

It will also be available to view on iPlayer and the BBC Sports app.

Viewers in the Republic will be able to watch the closing ceremony on RTÉ 2 and the RTÉ Player.

Broadcasting rights have been a topic of controversy at this year’s games, as viewers in the north were unable to watch RTÉ coverage and news bulletins.

Where is it being held?

Unlike the Opening Ceremony on the Seine, tonight’s event will be held in the Stade de France, which has been home to the track and field competitions over week two of the games.

Lady Gaga at the Seine ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France
Lady Gaga was one of the performers at the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games along the Seine. (John Walton/PA)

Fortunately, the rain which put a dampener on the Opening Ceremony is not set to make a reappearance tonight.

Who will be performing?

The rumour-mill has been in full swing in the build-up to tonight’s closing event.

American magazine Variety has reported that Billie Eilish is set to perform in addition to Red Hot Chili Peppers and 2024 Games fixture Snoop Dogg.

Actor Tom Cruise is also expected to perform a stunt, according to TMZ.

While no names have been officially confirmed, expect to see some of the biggest California-natives on stage as the Olympics are handed over to Los Angeles to host in 2028.

French culture will once again be on display, with the show’s director, Thomas Jolly, promising “a very choreographic, very acrobatic show with an operatic dimension”.

The usual traditional fixtures will also be worth watching, including the athletes’ parade and final medal presentation to the medallists from the Women’s Marathon.