As the world gears up for the 2024 Summer Olympics, Paris is ready to showcase its stunning Aquatics Centre in Saint-Denis. Whether you're planning to attend or follow from afar, our guide provides all the essential details to make the most of the aquatic competitions at this historic global event. Dive in and discover everything you need to know!
Aquatics Centre: A Marvel of Modern Architecture
The Paris Olympic Aquatics Centre, set to debut at the 2024 Summer Olympics, is located in the dynamic Plaine Saulnier district of Saint-Denis, France, adjacent to the historic Stade de France. During the Games, the Centre will accommodate 6,000 spectators, later scaling down to a capacity of 2,500. It will feature two 50-metre pools—one covered, the other open-air—a diving pool, and a water polo pool. Additionally, the Centre will include a spa and fitness area.
Designed with sustainability at its core, the Centre boasts several eco-friendly features. These include seats made from recycled plastic, shallower pools to reduce heating energy, and the use of bio-based building materials. The structure will have a timber frame and a 5,000 sqm roof covered with photovoltaic panels, making it one of France’s largest urban solar farms. The commitment to using recycled, locally-made materials highlights France's dedication to environmental performance and sustainability.
Paris 2024 Aquatics Center Events
At the 2024 Olympics, the Aquatics Centre will host key events including artistic swimming, diving, and water polo, showcasing a blend of athletic prowess and graceful aquatic performances. This world-class facility will spotlight elite athletes from around the world, featuring powerhouse teams from countries renowned for their swimming excellence, such as the United States, Australia, and China.
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Artistic Swimming
Artistic swimming consists of two events: duet and a team. Duet events feature both technical and free routines, while team events include an additional acrobatic routine. Competitions will be held in a 30mx20m area with a pool depth of at least 3m. Judges score routines based on difficulty, synchronization, execution, and artistic impression. Athletes need exceptional flexibility, power, and coordination to perform movements both in and out of the water. Notably, Paris 2024 will mark the first time male athletes can compete in team events. Here is the artistic swimming olympics schedule:
Date | Paris Time | Event |
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August 5 (Monday) | 19:30 | Team Technical Routine |
August 6 (Tuesday) | 19:30 | Team Free Routine |
August 7 (Wednesday) | 19:30 | Team Acrobatic Routine |
August 9 (Friday) | 19:30 | Duet Technical Routine |
August 10 (Saturday) | 19:30 | Duet Free Routine |
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Diving
Diving competitions feature eight events: 3-metre springboard (individual and synchronized, men and women) and 10-metre platform (individual and synchronized, men and women). The 3-metre springboard allows divers to perform acrobatic leaps, while the 10-metre platform involves dives from a fixed height of 10 meters. Both individual and synchronized events are contested at these heights. Here is the diving Olympics schedule:
Date | Paris Time | Event |
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July 27 (Saturday) | 11:00 | Women's Synchronised 3m Springboard Final |
July 29 (Monday) | 11:00 | Men's Synchronised 10m Platform Final |
July 31 (Wednesday) | 11:00 | Women's Synchronised 10m Platform Final |
August 2 (Friday) | 11:00 | Men's Synchronised 3m Springboard Final |
August 5 (Monday) | 10:00 | Women's 10m Platform Preliminary |
15:00 | Women's 10m Platform Semifinal | |
August 6 (Tuesday) | 10:00 | Men's 3m Springboard Preliminary |
15:00 | Women's 10m Platform Final | |
August 7 (Wednesday) | 10:00 | Men's 3m Springboard Semifinal |
15:00 | Women's 3m Springboard Preliminary | |
August 8 (Thursday) | 10:00 | Women's 3m Springboard Semifinal |
15:00 | Men's 3m Springboard Final | |
August 9 (Friday) | 10:00 | Men's 10m Platform Preliminary |
15:00 | Women's 3m Springboard Final | |
August 10 (Saturday) | 10:00 | Men's 10m Platform Semifinal |
15:00 | Men's 10m Platform Final |
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Water Polo
Water polo is an intensely physical sport where contact is permitted with players possessing the ball. Strength, endurance, power, and strategy are essential as two teams of seven players face off in a 3-meter deep pool. Matches consist of four eight-minute quarters, and except for the goalkeeper, players may only hold the ball with one hand. Possession lasts 30 seconds before the shot clock resets. Here is the water polo Olympics schedule:
Date | Paris Time | Event |
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July 27 (Saturday) | 14:00 | Women's Preliminary Round - Group A (Netherlands - Hungary) |
15:35 | Women's Preliminary Round - Group B (Greece - United States) | |
18:30 | Women's Preliminary Round - Group B (Spain - France) | |
20:05 | Women's Preliminary Round - Group A (Australia - China) | |
July 28 (Sunday) | 10:30 | Men's Preliminary Round - Group B (Australia - Spain) |
12:05 | Men's Preliminary Round - Group B (Serbia - Japan) | |
15:00 | Men's Preliminary Round - Group A (Italy - United States) | |
16:35 | Men's Preliminary Round - Group A (Croatia - Montenegro) | |
19:30 | Men's Preliminary Round - Group B (France - Hungary) | |
21:05 | Men's Preliminary Round - Group A (Romania - Greece) | |
July 29 (Monday) | 14:00 | Women's Preliminary Round - Group B (France - Italy) |
15:35 | Women's Preliminary Round - Group B (United States - Spain) | |
18:30 | Women's Preliminary Round - Group A (China - Netherlands) | |
20:05 | Women's Preliminary Round - Group A (Hungary - Canada) | |
July 30 (Tuesday) | 10:30 | Men's Preliminary Round - Group B (Australia - Serbia) |
12:05 | Men's Preliminary Round - Group A (Croatia - Italy) | |
15:00 | Men's Preliminary Round - Group B (Japan - France) | |
16:35 | Men's Preliminary Round - Group A (United States - Romania) | |
19:30 | Men's Preliminary Round - Group A (Montenegro - Greece) | |
21:05 | Men's Preliminary Round - Group B (Spain - Hungary) | |
July 31 (Wednesday) | 14:00 | Women's Preliminary Round - Group A (Netherlands - Australia) |
15:35 | Women's Preliminary Round - Group A (Canada - China) | |
18:30 | Women's Preliminary Round - Group B (Italy - United States) | |
20:05 | Women's Preliminary Round - Group B (Spain - Greece) | |
August 1 (Thursday) | 10:30 | Men's Preliminary Round - Group A (Greece - United States) |
12:05 | Men's Preliminary Round - Group B (Serbia - Spain) | |
15:00 | Men's Preliminary Round - Group B (France - Australia) | |
16:35 | Men's Preliminary Round - Group A (Italy - Montenegro) | |
19:30 | Men's Preliminary Round - Group A (Romania - Croatia) | |
21:05 | Men's Preliminary Round - Group B (Hungary - Japan) | |
August 2 (Friday) | 14:00 | Women's Preliminary Round - Group A (Australia - Canada) |
15:35 | Women's Preliminary Round - Group B (Greece - Italy) | |
18:30 | Women's Preliminary Round - Group B (United States - France) | |
20:05 | Women's Preliminary Round - Group A (China - Hungary) | |
August 3 (Saturday) | 10:30 | Men's Preliminary Round - Group B (Spain - Japan) |
12:05 | Men's Preliminary Round - Group A (Croatia - Greece) | |
15:00 | Men's Preliminary Round - Group B (Australia - Hungary) | |
16:35 | Men's Preliminary Round - Group A (Montenegro - United States) | |
19:30 | Men's Preliminary Round - Group B (Serbia - France) | |
21:05 | Men's Preliminary Round - Group A (Italy - Romania) | |
August 4 (Sunday) | 14:00 | Women's Preliminary Round - Group A (Hungary - Australia) |
15:35 | Women's Preliminary Round - Group B (Italy - Spain) | |
18:30 | Women's Preliminary Round - Group A (Canada - Netherlands) | |
20:05 | Women's Preliminary Round - Group B (France - Greece) | |
*Tip: This table only shows water polo matches held at the Aquatics Centre. The water polo competition from August 5 to August 11 will be held at Paris La Defense Arena. |
Ticket Information: Secure Your Spot at the Games
Summer Olympics 2024 Dates
- Olympic Games: July 26 (Friday) - August 11 (Sunday)
- Paralympic Games: August 28 (Wednesday) - September 8 (Sunday)
Where to buy tickets for the Paris Olympics 2024
Tickets for the Olympics are in high demand, with some sessions already sold out. New tickets for different sports will be available regularly every Thursday at 10 a.m., so it's crucial to check often. To secure your tickets, visit the Official Olympic Ticketing Website.
Where to watch the Olympic if you don’t have tickets
Don't worry. If you don't have tickets or can't make it to the event, you can still watch it live via broadcast media.
- Opening Ceremony: The ceremony will be broadcast on Discovery Warner Bros group channels and France Télévisions' free-to-air channels.
- Olympic Games: Eurosport will broadcast all events, offering themed channels (Eurosport 1 to 9) and digital platform access. France Televisions will provide free-to-air coverage on channels France 2, France 3, and France 4.
- Paralympic Games: France Televisions will broadcast the Paralympic Games 24/7.
- Live & On-Demand Broadcasting: Official Olympic Media Rights Holders will provide comprehensive live and on-demand coverage. For international broadcasters, please check the following list of Paris 2024 Games media rights holders:
Tip: Stay up to date with ticket availability and broadcast details to ensure you don’t miss any of the action from the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Getting There: Travel Tips for Spectators
Effortlessly accessible from central Paris, the Aquatics Centre is connected to major transport routes.
- Stade de France Saint-Denis station: RER line D, 1.2 km walk to the venue.
- Saint-Denis-Pleyel station: Metro line 14, 1.5 km walk to reach the venue.
Transit Advisory: Avoid metro 13 and RER B as they will also serve other Olympic venues.
Tech Tip: Use a France travel eSIM for real-time navigation and access to essential travel apps.
European Travel Data Plans: Olympic Deals
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Tip: This exclusive offer is available from July 1, 2024, to August 12, 2024. Don’t miss out—get yours now!
Plan Your trip to Saint-Denis During the Olympics
Saint-Denis, located just north of Paris, is a vibrant and historic area with plenty to offer visitors. If you're planning to visit during the Olympics, here are some must-see attractions and activities to add to your itinerary:
1. Basilica of Saint-Denis
A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, the Basilica of Saint-Denis is the burial place of French kings and queens. Explore its stunning stained glass windows, magnificent sculptures, and royal tombs. Don't miss the crypt, where you'll find the tombs of famous historical figures.
2. Stade de France
As France's national stadium, the Stade de France is a hub for major sporting events and concerts. As one of the Olympic venues, it will host athletics and rugby sevens competitions. Even if there's no event, you can join a guided tour to learn about its history and visit behind-the-scenes areas.
3. Parc de la Légion d'Honneur
This beautiful park is perfect for a relaxing stroll or a picnic. It features lush gardens, playgrounds, and plenty of open space. It's a great spot to unwind after a day of sightseeing or attending Olympic events.
4. Museum of Art and History
Located in a former Carmelite convent, the Museum of Art and History in Saint-Denis offers a fascinating look at the region's past. The museum's collections include medieval artifacts, art from the French Revolution, and a variety of exhibits on local history.
5. Marché de Saint-Denis
Experience the local culture at the bustling Marché de Saint-Denis, one of the largest and most diverse markets in the Paris region. Here, you can find everything from fresh produce and exotic spices to clothing and handmade crafts. It's an excellent place to pick up unique souvenirs and sample local cuisine.
6. Canal Saint-Denis
Enjoy a leisurely boat ride or a walk along the Canal Saint-Denis. The canal offers picturesque views and a peaceful escape from the city's hustle and bustle. There are also several cafes and restaurants along the way where you can stop for a bite to eat.
7. Plaine Commune
This area is known for its vibrant cultural scene and hosts numerous festivals, concerts, and events throughout the year. Check the local event calendar to see if there's something happening during your visit.
Olympic Legacy: Sustainability and Innovation
After the 2024 Summer Olympics, the Aquatics Centre will transition into a multifunctional facility. Starting June 2025, it will serve the general public with swimming lessons, recreational activities, and high-level competitions. By July 2025, it will expand to include two pools (50m and 25m), a fitness area, bouldering section, paddle tennis courts, and team sports pitches, featuring an adjustable floor for varied uses.
Designed as a state-of-the-art facility, it will host national and international competitions and provide training for elite French athletes, including the country's diving center. It stands as one of the only permanent sports facilities built for the Games, addressing the needs of Seine-Saint-Denis and the French swimming community. A footbridge will connect the Aquatics Centre to Stade de France, enhancing public access.
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