The audience gauge for the opening ceremony has been significantly revised downwards

Home Affairs Minister Gerald Darman announced this Wednesday a reduction in the number of spectators attending the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. That would be about 320,000 people.

The number of spectators attending the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris has been further reduced. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin announced on Wednesday a capacity of 320,000 people for the parade on the Seine to be held on Friday, July 26, 2024 in Telematin, France.

100,000 people on low routes, 220,000 people on high routes

“I remind you that the Olympic Games in Paris happen once in a century,” he declared. “And the opening ceremony outside the stadium never exists, it’s once every 3,000 years. The idea is that there will be 100,000 people on the lower roads, who will watch the ceremony. These are paid tickets. There are more than 220,000 people. The higher pits, who are from the Seine. will approach. And there are all those who live and who will be able to rent or evening along the Seine that goes from Bercy to the Trocadero. At the Trocadero, there is a grand welcome for all heads of state and all delegations.”

Organizers had hoped to bring 600,000 people together to attend the event during their initial plans. But last October this ambition was reduced to 400,000 people. In late December, RMC Sport revealed that a new drop was in the pipeline. This was confirmed by Darmanin on Wednesday.

This reduction only affects the high platform which represents the most sensitive subject for this ceremony. While they were supposed to open to 300,000 spectators, there will eventually be 220,000, according to figures released this Wednesday by the Interior Minister. 100,000 ticket holders (from 90 to 2,700 euros) will be installed in stands along the river, under the supervision of 2000 private security agents, nothing has changed below.

The other (top) will be grouped into several zones with security manned by state services and its 45,000 law enforcement officers will gather in a 12km parade. That represents 3,750 men per kilometer or four every 100 meters.