The Rio 2016 opening ceremony takes place at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Friday, August 5, 2016, bringing together athletes from 206 countries. Viewers can watch on TV or official live streaming apps, with highlights online. It starts in the evening locally, which is Saturday morning in parts of Asia and Australia. Expect a cultural show, a parade of nations, and the flame lighting that opens the Summer Games.
What To Expect at Maracana Stadium
The show blends Brazilian music, dance, and storytelling with the parade of nations and the Olympic oath. Producers aim to spotlight Rio’s culture, biodiversity, and diversity while keeping the program compact and TV friendly.
Maracana Stadium, the heart of Brazilian football, seats more than 75,000 and has hosted the World Cup final in 1950 and 2014. The venue will use massive staging, lights, and aerial cameras for global TV audiences.
Organizers expect a worldwide audience in the hundreds of millions, with broadcasters in every region carrying the event live or on delay. The athletes’ entrance, led by Greece and closed by Brazil, remains the center of the night.
The ceremony begins at 8:00 PM BRT on Friday, August 5, 2016, which converts to Saturday morning in many Asian and Australian cities.
Global Broadcast and Live Streaming
Rights holders in each country control live coverage on TV and digital platforms. In many regions, official apps and websites offer authenticated live streams, while YouTube carries highlights and replays from partners. Using only official sources ensures reliable quality and uninterrupted coverage.
- Hotstar and Star Sports Digital carry live streams in the Indian subcontinent.
- NBC Sports platforms stream in the United States with TV authentication.
- CBC and partner apps stream in Canada in English and French.
Use only official streams to avoid takedowns and poor quality mirrors. Start times vary by time zone, so check your local listings or your broadcaster’s app for live schedules and replays. Many platforms also provide multi camera views and highlight packages for quick catch up.
TV Channels by Country
Most nations have dedicated Olympic broadcast partners that provide live coverage, replays, and studio shows. The list below highlights major channels for the Rio Olympics opening ceremony. Availability can vary by region and package.
| Country or Region | TV Channels |
|---|---|
| United States | NBC |
| United Kingdom | BBC One and BBC One HD |
| Australia | Channel 7, 7 Two, 7 Mate |
| Canada | CBC, TSN, RDS |
| Brazil | Globo, SporTV, Fox Sports |
| India and Subcontinent | Star Sports |
| China | CCTV |
| Germany | ZDF, ARD |
| France | France Televisions, Canal+ |
| Russia | NTV Plus |
| Malaysia | Hypp TV, Astro |
| Singapore | Fox |
| Italy | Sky Italia, RAI |
| South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa | SuperSport |
Always confirm local start times and channel numbers with your provider. Some broadcasters air the show live, then repeat it in prime time with commentary tailored to local audiences.
Leaders and Artists Set to Appear
Invited dignitaries include several heads of state and ministers attending the opening in Rio. Among the expected guests are Argentine president Mauricio Macri, Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos, Czech president Milos Zeman, French president Francois Hollande, and Dutch minister Edith Schippers, subject to schedule changes.
The cultural lineup draws on Brazilian icons and rising stars. Performers include Elza Soares, MC Soffia, Karol Conka, Ludmilla, Gilberto Gil, and Caetano Veloso, representing modern and classic Brazilian sounds.
Brazilian stars will headline the cultural show, setting the tone for the Games with music, dance, and vibrant staging. Themes of unity, sport, and the Olympic spirit will run through the night as the flame is lit to officially open the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics.
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