Olympic Flame Handover Ceremony

The official handover ceremony of the Olympic flame for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be held at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens and is open to the public on Friday, April 26th, at 6:30 pm.

The Olympic flame will be ignited for the first time at Ancient Olympia on April 16th, within the ancient Temple of Hera. Here, around 30 priestesses, known as 'Caryatids Kores', will conduct a series of rituals invoking the mythical god Apollo to kindle the flame.

Embarking on a journey spanning over 2,000 kilometers through Greece, the Olympic torch relay will be undertaken by approximately 500 torchbearers, culminating its route at the Acropolis before its arrival at the Panathenaic Stadium the following day.

The ceremony, which will also be broadcast live worldwide on the official Olympic Games website, is a significant event for visitors to Athens. To fully experience the spectacle, it's recommended to arrive well in advance of the 6:30 pm starting time (we suggest arriving at or before 5:00 pm). Seating is on a first come, first serve basis.

The ceremony will feature notable elements such as the Greek Presidential Guard, the City of Athens Marching Band, and a performance by the 30 Caryatids before the flame is handed over to the Paris Olympic Committee.