These Matches, Races, and Duels Will Draw Biggest Attention at 2024 Paris Olympics

This summer, millions of spectators and thousands of competitors are anticipated in Paris, the host city for the Olympics (and Paralympics). What can we expect from every sport on a daily basis? These are Bookmaker Expert’s top recommendations for the 2024 Summer Olympics!

The biggest highlights of the Paris Olympics 2024

The Olympics in Paris in 2024 are nearing swiftly. The Summer Games will take place in the French capital from July 26 to August 11. The opening ceremony will feature 10,500 athletes, 160 boats, and a 3.7-mile path along the Seine. A billion people are anticipated to watch the event globally, and 326,000 people will attend in person—a reduction from the 600,000 that was originally intended due to security concerns. This will be the first Olympic opening ceremony that goes on outside a stadium. At Trocadéro Square, which faces the Eiffel Tower, the march will come to a close.

But which are the best selections from each sport that you can anticipate seeing every day? Surfing through the schedule day by day (local time), Bookmaker Expert selects the top events for you to watch. We skipped days when there were, in our humble opinion, no mouthwatering events. With a huge range across the Games, there’s enough to get stuck into when it comes to betting as well. In the hopes of striking it lucky, you’ll see who we picked as our top picks (the biggest favorites, if you prefer) from all the action.

Note that there are scheduled events up to two days prior to the opening ceremony…

Wednesday, July 24

• Rugby sevens, New Zealand vs. South Africa, men, preliminary phase, 9:30 p.m.

The men’s rugby sevens competition will begin with pool play at the Stade de France. Each of the 12 teams will play twice on Day -2, setting up a potentially tantalizing opening day matchup between New Zealand, the silver medalist from the Tokyo Olympics and the most recent World Cup, and South Africa, the bronze medalist from the Rio Olympics.

Thursday, July 25

• Handball, Sweden vs. Norway, women, preliminary phase, 9:30 p.m.

Handball is the fourth sport that starts before the opening ceremony. The women’s program in Paris launches with group-stage matches. This is a sport that will be watched a lot in Scandinavia. The two dominant nations in this region, Sweden and Norway, will face off on Day -1. The former is a two-time Olympic winner, a four-time world champion, and a nine-time European champion; the latter placed fourth in the most recent Olympics and World Championship. Norway won bronze in Tokyo and silver in the most recent IHF World Women’s Handball Championship.

Saturday, July 27

• Volleyball, Brazil vs. Italy, men, preliminary phase, 1 p.m.

On the first day of the Paris 2024 Games, the men’s national volleyball teams from Brazil and Italy will square off after competing against one another twice in gold medal matches at the Olympics. Brazil, the three-time Olympic and world champion, who beat Italy in the finals of the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2016 Rio Olympics, will face the Europeans (four-time world champions) once more on July 27 at the South Paris Arena when both of these fierce volleyball teams begin their campaigns in Pool B.

• Skateboarding, street, men, final, 5 p.m.

Even though it was difficult, men’s street skateboarding defending champion Horigome Yuto—the only person to have won gold in his sport—managed to win the final Olympic Qualifier Series event and earn a trip to Paris. He will face opponents such as his 14-year-old compatriot Onodera Ginwoo and the rising American skateboarder Nyjah Huston on Day 1.

• Rugby sevens, men, final, 7:45 p.m.

On Day 1, the first set of Games medals will be given out. The first full day of competition features 14 medal events in all, including the finish of the men’s rugby sevens competition, which got underway on Day -2. France, the home team, is the clear favorite among men after winning the most recent HSBC SVNS Grand Final in Madrid. Argentina, who took first place in three of the HSBC SVNS series’ legs, and Fiji, who has yet to lose an Olympic Games championship match, will be fierce rivals.

• Handball, Denmark vs. France, men, preliminary phase, 9 p.m.

A Group B clash between perennial rivals Denmark and France is highly anticipated following an April draw. These two faced one another in the last IHF World Men’s Handball Championship, the EHF European Men’s Handball Championship, and the Olympic Games. France prevailed in the first and second events, while Denmark claimed the continental title over France in January.

Sunday, July 28

• Basketball, USA vs. Serbia, men, preliminary phase, 5:15 p.m.

The biggest favorite to win the Olympic title, which would be its 16th, the USA, will face Serbia, a five-time world champion (which shares the joint title record with the USA), in Group C as both sides hope for a gold medal. If it’s to be judged by their friendly duel recently, Serbia stands no chance against the mighty Dream Team.

Tuesday, July 30

• Water polo, Spain vs. Hungary, men, preliminary phase, 9:05 p.m.

The rising force in men’s water polo, Spain, which comes to Paris fresh from winning its first-ever European title, faces off against an Olympic record-winner, Hungary (nine gold medals), in Pool B.

Wednesday, July 31

• Volleyball, Poland vs. Brazil, men, preliminary phase, 9 a.m.

Intense Group B sets another classic of world volleyball: Poland vs. Brazil. As for Brazil, we already said all that’s relevant earlier. On the other hand, Poland, the reigning European champion and vice-champion from the last FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, also aims for gold here in Paris. These two will face early in the morning.

• Volleyball, USA vs. Serbia, women, preliminary phase, 5 p.m.

Pool A’s preliminary round brings the clash of the Titans as the defending champion United States takes on the current FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship titleholder Serbia.

• Field hockey, Germany vs. Netherlands, men, preliminary phase 5:30 p.m.

Germany, the reigning Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup winner, takes on the Netherlands, a two-time Olympic and seven-time European champion. The match is in Pool A.

• Swimming, 100m freestyle, women, final, 8:30 p.m.

Swimming’s blue riband events, the women’s 100m freestyle and the men’s 100m freestyle, bookend the evening’s finals at the Paris La Défense Arena, making it a spectacular night. The current world champion Marrit Steenbergen of the Netherlands and silver medalist Siobhán Haughey of Hong Kong, China, are leading names in the women’s 100m free.

• Swimming, 100m freestyle, men, final, 10:15 p.m.

In the meantime, Pan Zhanle of China, the new men’s 100-meter free world record holder, is the clear favorite among men, while David Popovici of Romania, the current European record holder, will be looking to reclaim the title. Australia’s Kyle Chalmers, the 2023 world champion, is also in the running; however, the current champion, Caeleb Dressel of the USA, won’t compete because he wasn’t able to qualify.

Thursday, August 1

• Artistic gymnastics, all-around, women, final, 6:15 p.m.

Three years after withdrawing from the women’s team all-around final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics because of her twisties (a decline in spatial awareness or bodily orientation that makes it difficult for an athlete to perform gymnastics skills that were formerly part of their repertoire), Simone Biles is returning to the Olympic arena to compete in artistic gymnastics. She’s expected to defend the title at the Bercy Arena. The duo will pose the greatest threat to Biles: her American colleague Suni Lee, the current Olympic all-around champion, and Rebeca Andrade of Brazil, the 2022 world all-around champion and Tokyo runner-up.

• Basketball, Belgium vs. USA, women, preliminary phase, 9 p.m.

At prime-time at Pierre Mauroy Stadium, Lille, we’ll witness the greatest duel possible in women’s basketball at the moment between the reigning European champion Belgium and the reigning world and Olympic champion USA.

Saturday, August 3

• Tennis, singles, women, final, from 12 p.m.

Iga Świątek, the top seed and favorite to win the gold medal, is ranked number one in the world too. She lost in the third round at Wimbledon, which ended her London Grand Slam campaign early, but she’s back on her favorite clay.  With her fourth French Open championship in her pocket, the Pole is also predicted to compete at the highest level at the Olympics. The second seed, World No. 2 Coco Gauff, has a chance to be on the podium too considering her past performance in the Paris Grand Slam. The women’s singles gold medal match will take place at Court Suzanne Lenglen (the exact time is yet to be determined).

• Track and field, 100m, women, final, 9:20 p.m.

Day 8 is jam-packed with competition, with the women’s track and field 100-meter final. This race at the Stade de France will be the main attraction for all eyes, with USA’s Sha’Carri Richardson and Shericka Jackson of Jamaica, the other favorite, expected to compete for gold. Jackson’s fellow countrywoman Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the reigning bronze champion at the IAAF World Championships, will also likely participate in the final.

Sunday, August 4

• Tennis, singles, men, final, from 12 p.m.

You need look no further than Carlos Alcaraz if you’re hoping to wager on the men’s tennis at the 2024 Olympics. The 21-year-old Spaniard has just won two Grand Slams in the last two months, tripling the number of major titles he has won. He’s now in unbelievable form. It would be a mistake to write Jannik Sinner off in the Olympics after he rose to the top of the world rankings a few months ago. Even though the 22-year-old hasn’t been in the winners’ circle at a major since January, he still poses a real danger. Our final choice for the gold medal in Paris is 24-time Grand Slam victor Novak Djoković. The Serbian player hasn’t had a great season; this is the longest he has gone without a championship in a calendar year since 2005. That being said, Djoković’s focus this season has been entirely on taking home the gold at the Olympics. Thus, the top three seeds in the draw are included as well. But Alcaraz, the third seed, has an advantage. Men’s singles gold medal match is at Court Philippe-Chatrier (the exact time is yet to be determined).

• Track and field, 100m, men, final, 9:55 p.m.

Day 9 at the Stade de France features three track and field finals, but the men’s 100m final is the one that will definitely draw the most interest. The current champion, Italian Marcell Jacobs, has struggled with injuries for the past three years after taking home the unexpected gold in Tokyo 2020. Thus, the focus will shift to world champion Noah Lyles of the USA, who’s aiming to win sprint gold here at least three times: in the 100, 200, and 4×100 relay. If they make it to the semi-finals, Lyles’ American teammates Kenny Bednarek and Fred Kerley, who finished second in Tokyo to Jacobs, and Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson shouldn’t be written off in the final.

Monday, August 5

• Basketball 3×3, women, final, 10 p.m.

Basketball 3×3 will be the first urban sport to present medals at La Concorde. The women’s final is scheduled first. The USA has the lowest odds of winning if you ask the best basketball betting sites. However, the most recent prices indicate that this will be a competitive competition. Canada and Australia are anticipated to compete for the gold medal. Spain has won two titles from their three competitions this season, demonstrating their excellent form.

• Basketball 3×3, men, final, 10:30 p.m.

The men’s final will be played a half an hour later compared to women. In the men’s 3×3 basketball competitions, the United States is also the favorite. Another strong competitor in 3×3 basketball is Serbia. The team is still strong despite an unexpected setback in the Tokyo 2020 semifinals.

Thursday, August 8

• Field hockey, men, final, 7 p.m.

The men’s hockey tournament in Paris ends on Day 13 of the Games, with Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, Argentina, and India all hoping to be in contention for medals.

Friday, August 9

• Football, men, final, 6 p.m.

The men’s football tournament comes to an end at 6 p.m. at the Parc des Princes, the home of Paris Saint-Germain, where Argentina will be looking to win gold under the guidance of coach Javier Mascherano, a two-time gold medalist. Besides Argentina, the winner of the last FIFA World Cup and Copa América, the host France, led by coach Thierry Henry, and fresh European champ Spain are the favorites of football bookmakers.

• Track and field, 4x100m relay, women, final, 7:30 p.m.

There are only three days remaining in the Games, so medal activity picks up. On Day 14, there are 34 gold medal events available. They include the track and field 4x100m relay finals, the women’s first. The USA team looks to reclaim the top of the podium for the first time since Rio 2016, having Jamaica as the biggest challenger.

• Track and field, 4x100m relay, men, final, 7:45 p.m.

Although the US has always been the most successful nation in the sprint relay, the men haven’t won since 2000, but they now have the best opportunity to do so. However, Jamaicans will have something to say on the matter…

• Field hockey, women, final, 8 p.m.

The Netherlands, who entered the Paris Olympics as the top-ranked women’s hockey team in the world, will be a strong favorite to win the gold medal again, making a 45-goal differential en route to the Games. With a four-goal scoring difference in its matches, Germany has the second-biggest goal differential. Argentina won the silver medal in women’s hockey in Tokyo, but being the third-ranked team in the world right now, it will have a strong chance to win field hockey at the 2024 Olympics.

• Beach volleyball, women, final, 10:30 p.m.

Medal matches for women’s beach volleyball are held in the Eiffel Tower Stadium under the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. Both players and spectators are guaranteed to have an unforgettable experience, especially when the final sets off at 10:30 p.m. Ana Patrícia Ramos and Eduarda “Duda” Santos Lisboa, the world’s top-ranked pair, are the favorites to win gold in Paris. After finishing first in the 2022 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships and earning gold together at the Youth Olympic Games in 2014, they are reuniting after missing the podium in Tokyo while competing with other partners. At the 2020 Tokyo Games, Americans April Ross and Alix Klineman took the podium with their gold medals. But since both gave up their sports to become moms, a new champion will be crowned in Paris this summer. They returned to the sand to compete together, but not in time to earn a trip to Paris.

Saturday, August 10

• Track and field, marathon, men, final, 8 a.m.

This is the penultimate day of competition at Paris 2024, with 39 gold medal events scheduled, including the men’s marathon, which used to be the track and field curtain-closer. Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya is attempting to become the first marathoner to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals. With world record holder Kelvin Kiptum having died in a car accident prior to the Games, there will be a sense of “what might have been” as well as curiosity about Kipchoge’s ability to write history. Ethiopia’s marathon squad announced Kenenisa Bekele, who will reignite one of the greatest rivalries in history in Paris in 2024. The 41-year-old has won the 5,000- and 10,000-meter Olympic events three times. His rivalry with Kipchoge dates back to their initial encounter in the 2003 IAAF World Championships final, which took place in Paris as well.

• Volleyball, men, final, 1 p.m.

The French volleyball team went on a giant-killing rampage to win its first-ever men’s gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics, despite the fact that no one gave them a chance. The hosts, who are now unquestionably among the favorites, will be under pressure in Paris. With players like Bartosz Kurek and Wilfredo León among others, Poland, the current FIVB World Ranking leader, will field one of the most skilled and experienced men’s volleyball teams in the Paris 2024 Olympics, vying for the top spot on the podium.

• Handball, women, final, 3 p.m.

In the women’s competition, host and defending champion France is the clear favorite to win the gold medal. They are reigning champions in front of their home supporters, despite their lack of dominance compared to their male colleagues. In hard battles, their physical prowess might be a valuable advantage. But in their pursuit of gold, the Scandinavian teams Norway and Denmark will be looking to put up a fierce fight.

• Football, men, final, 7 p.m.

Since the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the US women’s national team has not won a significant international championship, and since London 2012, they have not won an Olympic gold medal. Fans of the USWNT believe that run has lasted much too long. Their last trip to Tokyo ended in disappointment as they lost to eventual champions Canada in the semi-finals, although they did manage to win bronze. The USWNT, who’ll play under new coach Emma Hayes, is performing well going into the Paris Games this year. However, Spain, the current world champion, is the front-runner to take home the gold in its first Olympics. Other favorites are Germany, a formidable team, and the host country, France.

• Basketball, men, final, 9:30 p.m.

The men’s basketball final between the USA and France in Tokyo 2020 ended with an American victory. LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, Joel Embiid, and other NBA stars make up the strong U.S. squad, which is why they are the favorites to win gold once more. With support from a boisterous Bercy Arena crowd, host France, however, will be determined to play spoiler on home territory. Victor Wembanyana and Rudy Gobert will provide them with additional firepower, though the loss of Embiid to the United States was a bitter pill to swallow. Is it possible for them to surprise everyone by winning an illustrious gold medal?

• Beach volleyball, men, final, 10:30 p.m.

Anders Mol and Christian Sørum, partners from Norway, are traveling to Paris in order to defend their gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. The United States’ chance at a medal is in the hands of Andy Benesh and Miles Partain. Despite being ranked fourth in the world going into the Olympics in Paris, they have a winning record against Mol and Sørum, having defeated them twice in the same competition last summer.

Sunday, August 11

• Volleyball, women, final, 1 p.m.

In Brazil, volleyball is almost as popular as football. Despite losing to the United States in the Tokyo final, they are currently rated second in the world and have won two Olympic titles. You can rely on their talent at all times. China and the USA will be chasing South Americans in search of gold.

• Handball, men, final, 1:30 p.m.

Anyone who follows the sport won’t be surprised by the men’s handball odds and predictions for Paris 2024. It’s anticipated that host France and Denmark will compete for the gold medal.

• Water polo, men, final, 2 p.m.

While Croatia’s success at the men’s water polo tournament at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships represents the sport’s most recent history, Serbia and Hungary have long been its dominant forces. If we had to choose between the two, we’d choose the Serbs because they had won two gold medals at the Olympics.

• Baketball, women, final, 3:30 p.m.

On the last day of the Games, before the closing ceremony in the evening at the Stade de France, the last 13 gold medals will be awarded following more than two weeks of competition. The final event of the Olympic Games will be the women’s basketball final at the Bercy Arena. We’ll expect the USA to win the championship for the eighth time in a row. Australia, Spain, and Belgium (surprisingly not positioned higher as favorites by bookies) might challenge Americans, but it will be a long shot.