The Tokyo Olympics are in full swing. Now in its 13th day, more than 11,000 athletes across 33 sports are competing for gold, silver and bronze medals and glory for their countries. We've got everything you need to watch the Olympics live stream from wherever you are — even for free and without cable TV.
• Start and end dates: July 21 to Aug. 8
• Free streams: BBC iPlayer, Peacock, 7Plus
• Watch anywhere: Try ExpressVPN risk-free
• US: Peacock, Sling and Fubo
• UK: Discovery+, BBC iPlayer
The Olympics 2021 schedule runs across 14 days and is jam-packed with events ranging from gymnastics to swimming to track and field. One of the biggest upcoming matches is in the Women's Soccer tournament, where Team USA is going up against Canada in the semifinals. Our guide for how to watch soccer at Tokyo Olympics will help you track the team.
Five new sports will make their debut at the Tokyo Olympics: baseball/softball, karate, surfing, skateboarding, and sport climbing. There are new events within existing sports as well, such as 3x3 basketball and freestyle BMX.
Saturday, August 7's big events (all times ET): Track cycling @ 3:35 a.m., Baseball USA vs Japan @ 6 a.m., Men's marathon athletics @ 6 p.m., Women's Basketball USA vs Japan @ 10:30 p.m., Water polo: USA vs Croatia @ 10 p.m.
Sunday, August 8's big events (all times ET): Women's Volleyball: USA vs Brazil @ 12:30 a.m., Boxing @ 1:15 a.m., Handball: France vs TBD @ 2 a.m., Olympics Closing Ceremony @ 7 a.m.
How to watch the Olympics for free
There are multiple ways for you to watch the Olympics for free, so you don't need to pay to root for your nation's athletes to get the gold. Australia has the best way to watch the Olympics without paying, as 7Plus has most of the events (up to 16 live streams!) without paying. Australians who are vacationing abroad can use a VPN, such ExpressVPN (our #1 pick) to evade the geo-blocking walls that would stop them from watching abroad. More on how to do that below.
Then there's Peacock , which has a lot of the Olympics for free. Yes, while you can pay for Peacock, it also has a free tier, where most of the Olympic events are available, and that includes the Tokyo Tonight highlights show we love. The one thing you'll miss out on is live men's Team USA basketball games (paywalled behind the $4.99 plan). Peacock also has a ton of non-Olympic content, including movies and TV shows.
For those in the U.K., BBC iPlayer is the way to watch the Olympics for free, it will have up to two live events at the same time. Canada's CBC and New Zealand's TVNZ also offer free Olympics coverage.
How to watch the Olympics from anywhere in the world
The Olympics is a global event and can be viewed in almost every country on Earth. However, if you're not in your home country and can't watch the Tokyo Olympics live stream with your usual services — or you want to watch in your native language — you're not out of luck. With a virtual private network, or VPN, you can appear to be surfing the web from your home town (or somewhere that blackouts won't hit), and access the same streaming services you already paid for.
Not sure which VPN is right for you? We've tested many different services and our pick for the best VPN overall is ExpressVPN. It offers superb speeds and excellent customer service. But you've got other VPN options as well. Here are our top picks.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, ExpressVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance if you're in the U.S. and want to view a U.K. service, you'd select U.K. from the list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to your website or streaming service of choice and tune in.
How to watch the Olympics in the US
In the U.S. the Tokyo Olympics is airing on NBC's family of networks and their affiliated streaming service Peacock.
If you've cut the cord and don't get NBC or NBCSN through your cable package, you can access those channels through Sling TV and Fubo TV, two of the picks on our best streaming services list.
How to watch the Olympics for FREE in the US
The no-cost tier of NBCUniversal’s streaming platform, Peacock Free, is streaming all major events, as well as daily live shows, fully event replays and curated highlights. And Peacock is the only place where viewers in the U.S. can watch gymnastics and track and field events in real time (since Tokyo and New York have a 13-hour time difference).
The only exception: If you want live coverage of the Team USA Men’s Basketball, you'll need to upgrade to Peacock Premium ($4.99/month) or ad-free Premium Plus ($9.99/month).
How to watch the Olympics in the UK
Trying to figure out how to watch the Tokyo Olympics without commercials? Well, just ask the Brits, who have it that way on the BBC and BBC iPlayer.
However, this year the BBC won't have the monopoly on Olympics coverage in the U.K., with the IOC having sold the main European rights to the Discovery network. As a result, the BBC's coverage, though still good, is limited to no more than two live events at one time.
To watch every event live, you'll instead want to subscribe to Discovery+, which is offering coverage of every event at Tokyo 2020. Discovery is currently offering a three-day free trial of the service, with full subscriptions available for £6.99/month or £29.99/year after that. Plus, the service is available to stream through a multitude of devices include Chromecast, Apple TV, Android TV and apps for iOS and Android.
If you're traveling outside of the U.K. and have a valid U.K. TV license, you can still follow every single game by using one of the best VPN services, such as ExpressVPN.
How to watch the Olympics in Canada
Canadians can watch the Tokyo Olympics on a number of different channels: Sportsnet, TSN, CBS and TLN.
Sportsnet, TSN and CBC are streaming games online if you log in with your cable provider or sign up for a standalone package. Sportsnet costs $19.99 a month, while streaming-only TSN costs $4.99 a day or $19.99 a month.
If you're traveling out of the country, you can use ExpressVPN to access your paid-for services.
How to watch the Olympics in Australia
Down Under, Aussies can watch the Tokyo Olympics for free on or stream it on the network’s 7Plus streaming service.
Currently out of the country? Use ExpressVPN to access your paid-for services.
How to watch the Olympics in 4K and 8K
NBC is broadcasting the Tokyo Olympics in 4K HDR for the first time. Coverage will also be accompanied by Dolby Atmos surround sound. Events that will be featured in 4K HDR include track and field, gymnastics, swimming, diving, tennis, golf, beach volleyball and more.
However, not every cable provider is offering the 4K feed. Comcast, Dish Network, and DirecTV will have it if you have a 4K-capable set-top box. And of course, you will need one of the best 4K TVs to display the feed with better resolution and more vivid colors.
It's even possible to watch the Olympics in 8K — if you have access to the Japanese broadcaster NHK. The network is shooting some of the Tokyo Olympics in 8K. It will show both the opening and closing ceremonies in the super-high resolution format.
Tokyo Olympics schedule and important events
In the gymnastics women's all-around live stream on Thursday, July 29, we saw Sunisa Lee win Olympic gold after Simone Biles unfortunately withdrew from the event. Biles did compete in the last day of event finals, but we won't spoil the results here. We've got everything you need to figure out how to watch Team USA gymnastics.
We also have our eyes on Kevin Durant in the Team USA basketball games. Durant became the #1 scoring Team USA men's olympian of all time, and they're currently in the knockout rounds.
Looking over at tennis, the World's No. 1 Novak Djokovic ... behaved like a child after failing to medal against Pablo Carreno Busta. But those aren't the only volleys being served. Check out our guide on how to watch badminton at Tokyo Olympics to see if you can follow Team USA's quest for success batting the shuttlecock around.
No matter the country you're rooting for, it's easy to watch the Olympics live stream. Keep reading for the 2021 schedule of events and info about viewing the Olympics wherever you are — and we've also got guides to how to watch the Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremony and how to watch the Tokyo Olympics in 4K.
The Tokyo Olympics started on Friday, July 23, and the end date for the Olympics is August 8, when the closing ceremony will occur.
Here is an overview of the remaining Olympics 2021 schedule of events (see the official schedule at Olympics.com).
Note: (m) denotes a medal day
Saturday, July 24
3x3 Basketball, Archery (m), Artistic Gymnastics, Badminton, Baseball/Softball, Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Cycling Road (m), Equestrian, Fencing (m), Football, Handball, Hockey, Judo (m), Rowing, Shooting (m), Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting (m),
Sunday, July 25
3x3 Basketball, Archery (m), Artistic Gymnastics, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Canoe Slalom, Cycling Road (m), Diving (m), Equestrian, Fencing (m), Football, Handball, Hockey, Judo (m), Rowing, Sailing, Shooting (m), Skateboarding (m), Surfing, Swimming (m), Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting (m),
Monday, July 26
3x3 Basketball, Archery (m), Artistic Gymnastics (m), Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Canoe Slalom (m), Cycling Mountain (m), Diving (m), Fencing (m), Handball, Hockey, Judo (m), Rowing, Rugby Sevens, Sailing, Shooting (m), Skateboarding (m), Surfing, Swimming (m), Table Tennis (m), Tennis, Triathlon (m), Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting (m),
Tuesday, July 27
3x3 Basketball, Archery, Artistic Gymnastics (m), Badminton, Baseball (m), Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Canoe Slalom (m), Cycling Mountain (m), Diving (m), Equestrian (m), Fencing (m), Football, Handball, Hockey, Judo (m), Rowing (m), Rugby Sevens, Sailing, Shooting (m), Surfing, Swimming (m), Table Tennis, Tennis, Triathlon (m), Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting (m),
Wednesday, July 28
3x3 Basketball (m), Archery, Artistic Gymnastics (m), Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Canoe Slalom, Cycling Road (m), Diving (m), Equestrian (m), Fencing (m), Football, Handball, Hockey, Judo (m), Rowing (m), Rugby Sevens (m), Sailing, Shooting, Surfing (m), Swimming (m), Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting (m),
Thursday, July 29
Archery, Artistic Gymnastics (m), Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Canoe Slalom (m), Cycling BMX Racing, Equestrian, Fencing (m), Golf, Handball, Hockey, Judo (m), Rowing (m), Rugby Sevens, Sailing, Shooting (m), Surfing, Swimming (m), Table Tennis (m), Tennis, Trampoline Gymnastics, Volleyball, Water Polo,
Friday, July 30
Archery (m), Athletics (m), Badminton (m), Baseball, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Canoe Slalom (m), Cycling BMX Racing (m), Diving, Equestrian, Fencing (m), Football, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Judo (m), Rowing (m), Rugby Sevens, Sailing, Shooting (m), Surfing, Swimming (m), Table Tennis (m), Tennis, Trampoline Gymnastics (m), Volleyball, Water Polo,
Saturday, July 31
Archery (m), Athletics (m), Badminton (m), Baseball, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Boxing (m), Cycling BMX Freestyle, Diving, Equestrian, Fencing (m), Football, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Judo (m), Rowing (m), Rugby Sevens (m), Sailing (m), Shooting (m), Surfing, Swimming (m), Tennis, Trampoline Gymnastics (m), Triathlon (m), Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting (m),
Sunday, August 1
Artistic Gymnastics (m), Athletics (m), Badminton (m), Baseball, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Boxing (m), Cycling BMX Freestyle (m), Diving (m), Equestrian, Fencing (m), Golf (m), Handball, Hockey, Sailing (m), Shooting, Surfing, Swimming (m), Table Tennis, Tennis, Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting (m), Wrestling
Monday, August 2
Artistic Gymnastics (m), Artistic Swimming, Athletics (m), Badminton (m), Baseball, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Canoe Sprint, Cycling Track (m), Diving, Equestrian (m), Football, Handball, Hockey, Sailing (m), Shooting (m), Table Tennis, Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting (m), Wrestling (m)
Tuesday, August 3
Artistic Gymnastics (m), Artistic Swimming, Athletics (m), Baseball, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Boxing (m), Canoe Sprint (m), Cycling Track (m), Diving (m), Equestrian, Football, Handball, Hockey, Sailing (m), Sports Climbing, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting (m), Wrestling (m)
Wednesday, August 4
Artistic Swimming (m), Athletics (m), Baseball, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Boxing (m), Canoe Sprint, Cycling Track (m), Diving, Equestrian (m), Golf, Handball, Hockey, Marathon Swimming (m), Sailing (m), Skateboarding (m), Sports Climbing, Table Tennis, Taekwondo (m), Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting (m), Wrestling (m)
Thursday, August 5
Athletics (m), Baseball, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Boxing (m), Canoe Sprint (m), Cycling Track (m), Diving (m), Equestrian, Football (m), Golf, Handball, Hockey (m), Karate (m), Marathon Swimming (m), Modern Pentathlon, Skateboarding (m), Sports Climbing (m), Table Tennis (m), Taekwondo (m), Volleyball, Water Polo, Wrestling (m)
Friday, August 6
Artistic Swimming, Athletics (m), Basketball, Beach Volleyball (m), Boxing (m), Canoe Sprint, Cycling Track (m), Diving, Equestrian, Football (m), Golf, Handball, Hockey (m), Karate (m), Modern Pentathlon (m), Rhythmic Gymnastics, Sports Climbing (m), Table Tennis (m), Taekwondo (m), Volleyball, Water Polo, Wrestling (m)
Saturday, August 7
Artistic Swimming (m), Athletics (m), Baseball (m), Basketball (m), Beach Volleyball (m), Boxing (m), Canoe Sprint (m), Cycling Track (m), Diving (m), Equestrian (m), Football (m), Golf (m), Handball (m), Karate (m), Modern Pentathlon (m), Rhythmic Gymnastics (m) Taekwondo (m), Volleyball (m), Water Polo (m), Wrestling (m)
Sunday, August 8
Athletics (m), Basketball (m), Boxing (m), Cycling Track (m), Handball (m), Rhythmic Gymnastics (m), Volleyball (m), Water Polo (m), Wrestling (m)
Closing ceremony
- Next: The best streaming services right now
