Queensland activates its 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic LIVE sites

Olympic and Paralympic LIVE sites with big screens are being activated across Queensland, from the beach to the bush, this weekend for the start of the Paris 2024 Games.

Screens either have or will be erected in LIVE sites at South Bank in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton, Longreach, Mackay, Cairns, Townsville and Hervey Bay.

This weekend’s action includes LIVE Games broadcasts of Men’s Basketball, Men’s Hockey, replays of Women’s Hockey and competition highlights.

Matilda Way at Longreach will be in on the action when Outback locals gather at Edkins Park to cheer on the Matildas in a Round 2 match against Zambia from 3-5am on Monday 29th July.

The buzzing riverside locations of Brisbane’s South Bank and Rockhampton’s Quay Street were the first to begin backing Team Australia from last night.

Weekend events are set to follow at five other locations for rebroadcasting of the Paris 2024 opening ceremony on the River Seine and the start of competition.

The South Bank LIVE site, overlooking the Brisbane River and featuring a four-storey tribute to the Eiffel Tower, will bring Paris to Brisbane starting from 6pm Friday with pre-Games coverage. The LIVE site will be open daily from 6.30am to midnight until the Olympics end on 11th August.

Rockhampton’s Quay Street, in the city’s Riverside Precinct, is hosting a LIVE site as part of the city’s annual River Festival, which started from last night and runs across the weekend.

Weekend LIVE site activations will follow from Saturday at the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Mackay, Longreach and Cairns.

The celebrations will start in Longreach on Saturday and continue through to the special early morning LIVE event at Matilda Way where locals will come together for their watch party.

LIVE site will also activate in Townsville and Hervey Bay next weekend (2nd-4th August) and sites across Queensland will activate again for the Paralympic Games.

The South Bank LIVE site is being supported by the Queensland Government and South Bank Corporation with other LIVE sites supported by both the Queensland Government and local Councils.

Paris 2024 goes LIVE from 27th July to 12th August (AEST) for the Olympic Games and 29th August to 9th September (AEST) for the Paralympic Games.

Three-time Olympian and gold medallist Bronte Barratt shared “The Games are on! It’s truly an exciting time, we’re right at the beginning of it all and I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds in Paris.

“Having these live sites both here in South Bank and across Queensland gives us all a great opportunity to come together and cheer on the Aussies as they give it their all.”

“I know there will be moments of inspiration that will captivate the nation and ignite a spark within our youth to get them on a pathway to Brisbane 2032.”  

Australian Olympic Committee chief executive Matt Carroll added “The AOC is pleased to announce the opening Olympics and Paralympics LIVE sites across Queensland in conjunction with the Queensland Government.

“Sites from Brisbane all the way up to Cairns will bring Queenslanders together united in support of the Australian Olympic and Paralympic Teams in Paris broadcast live and free on Nine at the Live sites.

“This is a great opportunity to use the power of sport to inspire our youth to be the best they can be, as we head to our home Games, Brisbane 2032.”

Australian Paralympic Team co-captain Curtis McGrath enthused “It’s fantastic to know that our friends, families and fans will have the opportunity to cheer on the Australian Paralympic Team at Paralympics LIVE events around Queensland.

“I encourage everyone to get out to a Paralympics LIVE event or host a watch party to support our team as we compete in Paris.”

More details on the LIVE sites and other community activities are available at Q2032.au. 

Olympics LIVE site locations and times:

• Brisbane – South Bank – Friday 26th July to Sunday 11th August, starting 6pm on 26 July and continuing daily 6.30am to midnight.

• Rockhampton – Quay Street – Friday 26th July (5pm to 9pm), Saturday 27th July (10am to 9pm) and Sunday 28th July (10am to 6pm)

• Gold Coast – Great Lawn, Broadwater Parklands – Saturday 27th July (10am to 9pm), Sunday 28th July (10am to 6pm)

• Cairns – Shields Street Lawns – Saturday 27th July (10am to 11.30pm), Sunday 28th July (10am to 6pm)

• Mackay – Bluewater Quay – Saturday 27th July (12noon to 11.30pm), Sunday 28th July (9am to 6pm)

• Longreach – Edkins Park – Saturday 27th July (12noon – 9pm), Sunday 28th July (12noon to 6pm), Monday 29 July (3am to 5am)

• Sunshine Coast – Jack Morgan Park, Coolum Beach – Saturday 27th July (3pm to 9pm)

• Upcoming Olympics LIVE events:

• Townsville – Riverway Oval – Friday 2nd August (5pm to 9pm), Saturday 3rd August (10am to 9pm), Sunday 4th August (10am to 6pm)

• Hervey Bay – Pier Park, Urangan – Saturday 3rd August (7.10am-6pm), Sunday 4th August (9am-6pm)

Image top: Brisbane – South Bank – Friday 26th July to Sunday 11th August, starting 6pm on 26 July and continuing daily 6.30am to midnight. Credit: Eat South Bank; Image above: Townsville – Riverway Oval to be activated – Friday 2nd August (5pm to 9pm), Saturday 3rd August (10am to 9pm), Sunday 4th August (10am to 6pm)