Jimmy Fallon, Kelly Clarkson, Peyton Manning and More to Host NBC’s Paris Olympics Ceremonies

Kelly Clarkson, Peyton Manning and Jimmy Fallon are bringing something new to NBC’s coverage of the upcoming Paris Olympics this summer.

Clarkson and Manning will join sports commentator Mike Tirico to host the opening ceremony July 26, with Fallon and Tirico set to host the closing ceremony Aug. 11.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

• Getty Images CEO Calls for Industry Standards Around AI

• Xixi Pictures Sets Its Sights on Building a Global Brand for Chinese TV Drama

• Conan O'Brien Returns to 'Tonight Show': "It's Weird to Come Back"

Clarkson and Manning first revealed their opening ceremony duties during a March appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The next day, NBCUniversal also announced Today hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb would be part of the opening ceremony coverage, set to take place around the River Seine in Paris, rather than in a sports arena as is traditional.

“I’m so glad we can say it,” Clarkson said at the time. “We’ve been holding this forever.”

Guthrie and Kotb, who have hosted previous Olympics coverage, will be positioned on a Seine bridge to report on the pageantry as the Olympic athletes sail by as part of a 4-mile-long flotilla for a parade of nations. Clarkson, Manning and Tirico will be stationed at the Trocadero near the ceremony’s finish, with views of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower, which will host beach volleyball matches.

In the same late night appearance, Tirico also told Fallon about what viewers can expect: “The opening ceremony is going to be so different and unique. Down the Seine, down the river with the athletes on a boat, so it’s not the stadium where they walk in. It will incorporate Paris. And the Games are going to be amazing, as you know: swimming, gymnastics. … Team USA in track and field could be incredibly strong, the Dream Team, the U.S. soccer team, the women’s basketball team.”

After Fallon said he would be watching from home, Tirico proceeded to ask Fallon if he wanted to host the Olympics closing ceremony with him. “Are you serious? Is this real? I’m in! I’m in!” Fallon responded with excitement.

The following day, Fallon confirmed: “It’s real. It’s happening. I’m headed to Paris.”

Joining Fallon and Tirico for the closing ceremony will be returning trio sports commentator Terry Gannon, 1998 Nagano Olympic figure skating gold medalist Tara Lipinski, and two-time Olympian in figure skating Johnny Weir.

Clarkson also said of teaming up with Manning and Tirico on The Kelly Clarkson Show earlier, “Together, we are hosting the opening ceremony for the Paris Olympic Games. You will never see these three individuals do anything else together. This is the most random thing that they’ve done and I am down for the ride.”

NBC live coverage of the ceremony kicks off July 26 on NBC and Peacock at noon ET.

This story was originally published March 12, 2024.

Best of The Hollywood Reporter

• A 'Star Wars' Timeline: All the Movies and TV Shows in the Franchise

• 'Star Wars': 16 Animated Characters Who Made the Leap to Live-Action

• Power Showrunners: Hollywood’s 50-ish Most Influential Writer-Producers of 2023