AW promotion

The summer of 2024 is stacked with sports. In football, the UEFA European Championships will take centre stage. Germany will host Europes 24 finest national teams all of which will aim to make it to Berlin on July 14th to be crowned champions. In South America, their continental tournament namely Copa America will also take place, albeit being held in the United States.

However, without a doubt, the biggest event of the year is the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. When it comes to the modern Olympiad, it seems that anticipation begins as soon as the closing ceremony finishes at the previous games. That of course came in Tokyo three years ago, with global events forcing the event to be pushed back a year from its advertised spot in August 2020. Now, however, that wait is almost over.

The opening ceremony takes place on July 26, and it promises to be a spectacular sight. Temporary seating that can accommodate up to 330,000 spectators has been installed at Jardins du Trocadéro and on the banks of the River Seine, setting the stage for one of the grandest openings of all time. But which other iconic sights will be featured this summer? Lets take a look.

Stade de France

Constructed for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, the Stade de France is no stranger to hosting world-class sporting events. It was the stadium that saw France win the aforementioned World Cup on home turf, with a brace from iconic midfielder Zinedine Zidane and a late goal from former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit enough to down reigning champions Brazil 3-0.

It has also seen two different UEFA Champions League winners crowned in the form of Barcelona in 2006 and Real Madrid 16 years later. And if that wasnt enough, South Africa has twice been crowned Rugby World Cup winners in the stadium, defeating England in 2007 and New Zealand late last year.

Located in Saint-Denis, just north of Paris, this monumental stadium can hold up to 80,000 spectators. For the upcoming Games, it will be the epicentre of the action, hosting the track and field events as well as the rugby sevens tournament, a competition in which the best rugby union player on the planet Antoine Dupont will be featuring for the hosts.

Paris La Défense Arena

Paris La Défense Arena is a modern marvel situated in the La Défense district, known for its contemporary architecture and bustling business environment. With a capacity of 40,000, it is Europes largest indoor arena. It was built to be the home stadium for rugby side Racing 92 however, during the Olympics, it will be transformed into an aquatic centre, hosting swimming, diving, and synchronized swimming events. Plenty of spectators are expected to be in attendance and the OC will certainly be hoping that some events are sold out.

Stade Roland Garros

Famed for the French Open, Stade Roland Garros is synonymous with tennis excellence. Its clay courts have seen countless legendary matches, and during the 2024 Olympics, it will continue to uphold this legacy by hosting once more. That will give a great advantage to Spanish icon Rafael Nadal. The 37-year-old has been dubbed the King of Clay courtesy of his exploits on the famed red courts over the years, winning in Paris no fewer than 14 times, more than anyone else in history and by some distance.

He is expected to thrive in the tournament once more this year, with Bovada sports bets pricing him at +2500, with compatriot Carlos Alcaraz the short-priced +250 favourite. Both of them will be aiming for two victories at Roland Garros this summer, one of which will result in French Open glory and the other in an Olympic gold medal. The stadium will also host boxing events as well, with fans in attendance potentially laying eyes on the next Oleksandr Usyk, the current undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and a gold medal winner back in 2012.

Bercy Arena

Bercy Arena is a versatile indoor arena located in the heart of Paris. With a seating capacity of 20,000, it is ideal for hosting large-scale events. During the games, it will be the stage for gymnastics and basketball, two of the best-attended sports on the schedule. Fans in attendance can expect to see plenty of American stars as the Stars and Stripes look to win yet another gold on the court, potentially their fifth in a row should they run out victorious.

Champ de Mars

Imagine playing beach volleyball against the backdrop of the iconic Eiffel Tower. Well, for the best players in the world, that dream will become a reality this summer as the tournament will be hosted at the Champ de Mars, which will combine sport with one of Paris most picturesque locations. This open green space stretches from the École Militaire to the Eiffel Tower, offering a breathtaking view that will surely captivate spectators and athletes alike.