The opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics is set for Friday, July 26. Instead of a traditional march into a stadium, about 6,800 athletes will parade on more than 90 boats on the Seine River for 6 kilometers (3.7 miles). This will start the ceremony, not mark the end of it, another break from tradition. [time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”] What time does the opening ceremony start? The ceremony starts at 1:30 p.m.