This is the Parade of Nations order at the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony

WASHINGTON — As Olympians represent their country sailing down the Seine during the Parade of Nations at the Opening Ceremony, you might be wondering how they ended up in that order. 

Countries typically enter in alphabetical order based on the language of the host country -- in this case, French, with a few exceptions. Greece always marches first in recognition of their country creating the modern Olympic Games. The Refugee Olympic Team followed Greece during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and is expected to follow suit in Paris. 

The host nation always enters last for the Opening Ceremony Parade of Nations, so this year that means the France delegation will be the final group to arrive. 

The IOC introduced a new tradition in recent years to honor upcoming host countries, which directly impacts where the United States will march in the Paris Opening Ceremony. 

Since the Tokyo Olympics, upcoming hosts have marched just ahead of the host country at the back of the pack. That means the United States and Australia (hosts of the 2028 and 2032 games, respectively) will march at the end just before France.

2024 Paris Olympics Parade of Nations order

How to watch the Opening Ceremony

The 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony officially begins on Friday, July 26 at 7:30 p.m. local time in Paris. That means it will start at 1:30 p.m. Eastern, 12:30 p.m. Central, 11:30 a.m. Mountain and 10:30 a.m. Pacific. 

Telemundo will also provide Spanish-language coverage beginning at 1 p.m. ET.

Primetime coverage of the Opening Ceremony will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and Peacock.