Overview of the Games
This summer sees the best equestrian athletes in the world descend on the French capital for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We've rounded up everything you need to know ahead of the start of competition.
Key olympic dates
- 26 July – Opening Ceremony
- 27 July – Eventing: dressage phase: 08.30 - 17.30
- 28 July – Eventing: cross-country phase: 09.30 - 14.00
- 29 July – Eventing: showjumping phases and medal ceremony: Team 10.00 - 12.30 and Individual 14.00 - 15.00, medal ceremonies 15.00
- 30–31 July – Dressage: Grand Prix: 10.00 - 15.30 on 30 July, 10.00 - 14.30 on 31 July
- 1 August – Jumping: team qualifier: 10.00 - 13.00
- 2 August – Jumping: team final and medal ceremony:12.00 - 15.00, medal ceremony 15.00
- 3 August – Dressage: Grand Prix Special and team medal ceremony: 09.00 - 14.30, medal ceremony 14.30
- 4 August – Dressage: Grand Prix Freestyle and individual medal ceremony: 09.00 - 12.30, medal ceremony 12.30
- 5 August – Jumping: individual qualifier: 13.00 - 17.00
- 6 August – Jumping: individual final: 09.00 - 11.00, medal ceremony 11.00
- 11 August – Closing Ceremony
Times BST
Key Paralympic Dates
- 9 July – 50 days to go
- 28 August – Opening Ceremony
- 3–4 September – Individual tests and medal ceremonies from 09.00
- 6 September –Team tests and medal ceremony from 09.00
- 7 September – Freestyle tests and medal ceremonies from 09.00
- 8 September – Closing Ceremony
Competition structure
Find out more about each of the Olympic and Paralympic disciplines, how the competitions runand who's representing Team GB by clicking the official pictograms below.
THE VENUE
All equestrian competition will take place against the backdrop of the iconic Palace of Versailles, which was constructed in the 1660s and become the home of King Louis XIV’s court in 1682. The former royal residence and its grounds were named a UNESCO world heritage site in 1979 for its status as a centre of power, art and science in France during the 17th and 18th centuries.
A temporary arena and grandstand seating for up to 40,000 spectators will be built in the Etoile Royale, an esplanade that sits west of the Grand Canal in the grounds of the palace. The cross-country course will run through the woods near the Grand Canal and includes a pontoon crossing of the waterway as part of its track.
HOW TO WATCH
Just as they did for Tokyo 2020, Eurosport holds the TV and multi-platform rights package for the 2024 Olympic Games in 50 countries across Europe, including the UK. Coverage will include a mix of free-to-air and subscription viewing of all competition across Eurosport platforms and the Discovery+ streaming service. A subscription costs £6.99 per month during the Games period, but you can cancel it at any time and there may be additional discounts or special offers available.
BBC Sport has confirmed that it will continue to offer live and on-demand coverage of the Olympic Games. Their rights package will include two simultaneous livestreams focusing on key medal events, as well as a daily highlights programme, digital clips of the top action, and coverage on Radio 5 Live. Much of the sporting action will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer as a catch-up service.
Channel 4 has again secured rights to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. They've committed to broadcasting every single televised moment of live sport – approximately 1,300 hours of coverage across up to 18 concurrent streams – across Channel 4, More4, Channel 4 streaming and social channels, and the Channel 4 YouTube channel.
Tickets
Tickets for the Olympic equestrian events are no longer available, but there are still some Paralympic tickets available for the individual and team competitions. You can purchase these through the Paris 2024 ticketing portal.
The Paris 2024 ticket resale platform is currently live. The platform allows you to resell your Olympic and Paralympic tickets if you're no longer able to use them, or you can securely buy returned tickets if you missed out on previous sales. Tickets can be resold up until 12 hours before the session they cover, so it's worth checking back regularly to see if there are any equestrian ones available.
good luck messages
Show our athletes how much you're rooting for them by sending them a good luck message via our Paris Post Box – you can create your own card, letter or picture, or use one of our exclusive colouring sheets.
