Olympics opening ceremony route: How Paris transformed Seine River into 'unique' spectacle

The 2024 Paris Olympics will feature a unique opening ceremony that incorporates the city and its most popular river.

For the first time in Summer Games history, the opening ceremony won't be held in a stadium. It will take place outside in the middle of Paris on the Seine River.

Athletes will be introduced on boats as a part of the ceremony's parade, and cameras will be on board to get up-close video for at-home viewers.

Because it's outdoors along the Seine River , there is free admission for certain seats. More exclusive seating can be purchased.

Here's all there is to know about the Olympics opening ceremony and its route through Paris.

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Olympics opening ceremony route

The Summer Games began in Athens, Greece in 1896, but the 2024 Olympics will be the first to have the opening ceremony outside of a stadium.

The parade begins at the Austerlitz bridge next to the Jardin des Plantes at 1:30 p.m. ET and 7:30 p.m. CET, or local time, in Paris. The boats will move along the Seine River, going around the Ile Saint Louis and the Ile de la Cite — the two islands in the Seine River.

After passing the islands, the boats will continue on their paths from east to west. They'll pass some of the Olympic venues before concluding the six-kilometer route at the Lena Bridge.

The ceremony will then finish at the Trocadero, which is near the Eiffel Tower.

Fans can line up along the Seine River to watch the parade take place. There will be free seating for those looking to sit in the upper quays in between the Austerlitz and Lena bridges. Those looking to sit in the lower quays will need to purchase tickets.

Paris Olympic coordinators will have 80 " giant " screens and speakers positioned along the river to enhance the experience.

The opening ceremony is expected to be the largest in Olympic Games history, with an additional 1.5 billion viewers projected to watch on TV and online.

When is the Olympics opening ceremony?

The Olympics opening ceremony will take place on July 26 at 1:30 p.m. ET and 7:30 p.m. local time in Paris.

Some events will have already started, but this officially marks the beginning of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

How many boats are in the Olympics opening ceremony?

There will be about 94 boats in the Olympics opening ceremony, including "boats for each national delegation ." Performers and athletes will be on board.

Who is performing at the Olympics opening ceremony?

While the opening ceremony is focused on introducing the Summer Games and its athletes, there will be some performances to enhance the event.

There will be about 3,000 artists and 400 dancers performing at the opening ceremony. Some will be on boats while others will be on bridges, according to HelloMagazine .