On 26 April 2024, the Olympic Flame will arrive to Athens, Greece. Afterwards, it will depart for Paris, where the 2024 Olympic Games will be hosted. Here is how to see the Olympic Flame Ceremony in Athens.
The Olympic Flame Ceremony at the Panathenaic Stadium
On April 26, the Olympic Flame, which was lit in Ancient Olympia and has been travelling to all corners of Greece, will reach Athens, the Greek capital.
Its final destination will be the Panathenaic Stadium, where the Handover Ceremony to France, which is hosting the 2024 Olympic Games, will take place. The flame will then continue its journey to Paris.
Here is what you need to know if you want to attend the 2024 Olympic Flame Ceremony in Athens Greece.
Still shot taken from this video
Free entrance to the Olympic Flame Ceremony
The Handover Ceremony of the Olympic Flame will take place inside the majestic Panathenaic Stadium. This is a stadium dating from the ancient times, which also hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.
The ceremony will happen between 18:30 – 19:30, according to a timed schedule.
On April 26, the Panathenaic Stadium will offer free entrance to anyone who wishes to attend the Ceremony.
In light of the event, the Panathenaic Stadium will remain closed to visitors until 17:00, at which point it will open for audience entry. Visitors will be able to enter the Stadium from 17:00 to 18:00.
Experiencing an event in the Panathenaic Stadium is truly magical, so if you are in Athens please try to go!
Another special day when you can visit for free is during the Athens Marathon, which is always organized on the second Sunday in November.
When: Friday, April 26th, 18:30, entrance from 17:00 – 18:00
Where: Panathenaic Stadium, Archimidous 16, Athens
And, if you can’t be at the Stadium, don’t worry – you can watch the ceremony live here.
The Flame will stop at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation
As part of the Olympic Torch Relay “Paris 2024”, the Olympic Flame will also make a stop at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNF), at 14:30 on Friday.
Highlighting the SNFCC as a landmark of contemporary Athens, the unique event will take place at the Agora area of the Cultural Center. Four Torchbearers will run around the Canal of the SNFCC. The Band of the Hellenic Navy will perform the Olympic Hymn and the National Anthems of France and Greece, while simultaneously raising each country’s flag.
The event will conclude with a special dance performance by the Ballet of the Greek National Opera, accompanied by the Dancing Water Fountain of the Niarchos Foundation. The performance has been orchestrated by the famous Greek choreographer / director Konstantinos Rigos, to the tune of “Epirotic Dance” by Nikos Skalkotas.
Admission for the public is free of charge. You can find more information about the event, and how to get there, at the SNFCC official website.
When: Friday, April 26th, 14:30
Where: Agora, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, 364 Syggrou Avenue, Kallithea
On a separate note, if you are in Athens between 28-30 April 2024, please have a look at the unique Festival of Sacred Music, featuring 50 free events in numerous venues in Athens.
Related articles
- The origins of the Olympic Games in Ancient Greece
- Ancient Olympia: the site of the Ancient Olympic Games
Hi! I’m Vanessa from Athens. Follow me on my social media for more Greece-related news and inspiration: