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2024 Summer Olympics Events That Are Free To Attend If You’re on a Budget

July 19, 2024

5 min Read

Written by David Nadelle

Edited by T. Woods

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For cities across the world, the Olympics present a once-in-a-generation opportunity to increase their prestige and international exposure. However, in general, the revenue brought in from the games does not equate to the money put out by the host city.

And while some may view the Olympics as a tourist trap to bring in money, data shows that the impact on tourism in Olympic cities is mixed, as crowds, high prices and security deter many travelers.

Still, millions upon million of visitors will flock to Paris for the Summer Olympics from July 26 to August 11 and the Paralympics from August 28 to September 8, and many will be looking to save money while attending events.

Nearly nine million tickets have already been sold since they became available in Feb. 2023 and they aren’t cheap. Ticket prices ranged from around 27 euros ($29.40 USD) to more than 1,000 euros ($1089 USD). Not surprisingly, many hoteliers in Paris have raised their rates in anticipation of a surge in demand and bus and subway fares in the city will double during the Games. The Louvre Museum already upped its ticket prices by 30% back in January, so you should expect other tourist attractions to do the same.

However, there is good news for those attending the Olympics, but are on a budget. According to Le Monde and the Paris je t’aime tourist office, this year’s summer Games is offering more free events than any previous Olympics, and the Paris Olympics will be the first to feature an outdoors opening ceremony for all to see.

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The main athletics events will take place on the northern outskirts of Paris at the Stade de France, however, there are 15 Olympic and 11 Paralympic venues in the city centre and many of the biggest events are free to watch on the streets of Paris or in the Seine River.

1. Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games will not be held in a stadium for the first time in its history. Instead, it can be viewed for free on the Seine’s upper river quays. Although many attendees will be invited guests and seated ticket holders, you’ll be able to see the procession along its six kilometer (3.7 mile) stretch of the Seine on July 26.

2. Triathlon

The triathlon, which will take place in the center of Paris, will allow paying spectators to sit in the grandstands at the start/finish area and on the Champs-Elysées bridge, but they will also be able to watch the athletes complete the route for free. The course passes through some of the capital’s most famous landmarks, including the Alexandre-III Bridge, the Grand Palais, Avenue Montaigne, the Champs-Elysées, the Arc de Triomphe and the Musée d’Orsay.

3. Marathon

The marathon will also allow spectators to support the runners at no cost as they make their way around the 42 kilometer (26 mile) Paris to Versailles loop on August 10 and 11. You can show your support at many beautiful sites along the route, including the Paris City Hall starting point, Boulogne-Billancourt, Sèvres, Ville-d’Avray, Versailles, Viroflay, Chaville, Meudon, Issy-les-Moulineaux and the finishing line at the Esplanade des Invalides, per Paris je t’aime.

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4. Cycling

Cycling is a serious passion in France and will be one of the most watched events at the Olympics. Luckily, you won’t need to spend a dime to access the road cycling events. Both the time trial on July 27 — which winds from the Invalides to the Alexandre-III bridge — and the men’s and women’s road races are free of charge to anyone standing along the routes. The men and women participants have different courses, but both races finish with a circuit through the streets of Paris, including a daring climb up the Butte Montmartre.

5. Cultural Olympiad

Starting in 1912, Olympic medals were awarded for five separate arts categories: sculpture, architecture, literature, music and painting. While these competitions ended after the London Games in 1948, these artistic fields are extensively represented during the events of the Cultural Olympiad. During the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the “City of Light” will feature tons of creative events — mostly free and open to the public — throughout the city.

6. Free Fan Zones

Finally, Paris City Hall is establishing over 20 free fan zones throughout the capital where visitors can meet up and watch the Games broadcast on giant screens. These zones will feature special activities, play areas, refreshment stands and awareness-raising spaces. Larger accessible spots include Club France in Parc de la Village, the square in front of City Hall and Champions Park at Trocadéro, where you’ll be able to greet the previous day’s medal winners. Here are the rest of the free fan zones: