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How to watch the Tokyo Olympics online for free

In Japan, you can live-stream Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics events for free via these websites and TV channels

Emma Steen
Written by
Emma Steen
Former writer, Time Out Tokyo
Tokyo National Stadium, Olympics Stadium
Photo: F11photo/Dreamstime
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[Update, August 8] Here are the Day 16 Olympic gold medal events you can watch for free online.

This is it – the final day of the Tokyo Olympic Games. Japan has done exceptionally well so far, with record number of medals won. As of Day 15 (August 7) at 11pm, Team Japan has won gold in 27 events.

The last day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (Sunday August 8) will wrap up with 8 sports and conclude with the closing ceremony at 8pm JST. Here’s the schedule for the upcoming gold medal events and where you can watch them live:     

August 8, 6am-12noon 

7am Athletics – Men's Marathon Final (on Gorin.jp)

9am Volleyball – Women's Final (on Gorin.jp)

9.30am Water Polo – Men's Final (on Gorin.jp

11am Handball – Women's Final (on Gorin.jp

11am Rhythmic Gymnastics – Group Final (on Gorin.jp)

11.30am Basketball – Women's Final (on Gorin.jp)

11.51am Cycling (Track) – Men's Keirin Final (on Gorin.jp)

August 8, 12noon-6pm 

2pm Boxing – Women's Lightweight (57-60kg) Final (on Gorin.jp

2.15pm Boxing – Men's Lightweight (57-63kg) Final (on Gorin.jp

2.45pm Boxing – Women's Middleweight (69-75kg) Final (on Gorin.jp)

3.15pm Boxing – Men's Super Heavyweight (Over 91kg) Final (on Gorin.jp)   

August 8, after 6pm

8pm Tokyo 2020 Olympics closing ceremony (on NHK Plus General Channel) 

***

[July 20] The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are just days away with the Opening Ceremony scheduled to begin at 8pm JST on July 23. With the Games set to go ahead without any spectators at the venues, those hoping to catch the action live will have to tune in on their TV or online. But don’t worry – with round-the-clock coverage of thousands of hours of competition, you are unlikely to miss a single moment even while watching at home. 

If you’re in Japan, most TV channels will be covering the Olympics in one form or another, but if you plan on tuning in from your computer or mobile phone, there are two main sites that will be live-streaming events and uploading playback videos. 

Gorin.jp

The first one is Gorin.jp, Japan’s official online broadcaster for the Tokyo Olympics, which will begin streaming events from July 21, starting with the qualifying tournaments for women’s football with Japanese commentary. Aside from showing the competitions live, the site also has videos of victorious moments from previous Olympic events when Japanese athletes broke records or won a medal. 

NHK

The second broadcaster set to provide live-streaming services is Japan’s public broadcaster, NHK, which will be covering the competition on five different channels (NHK General TV, NHK Educational TV, BS1, BS8K, BS) as well as on the radio. Network officials have also announced that NHK will be live-streaming approximately 3,000 hours of Olympic events, including some footage that will not be shown on TV. You can access the live-stream, as well as playback videos, on NHK Plus without having to register for the service. 

Unfortunately, these platforms are only available to use in Japan, so if you’re overseas, check the official Olympic broadcaster in your region to find out how to watch the Games. Some territories will also have access to live-streams on the official Olympic Channel

Want to know who you’re cheering for? You can see the full list of competing Olympians and check out their profiles on the Tokyo 2020 official website

More on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics

The free Olympic Agora exhibition in Nihonbashi features torches, medals and art

How to enjoy the Tokyo Olympics even when you can’t watch the Games in person

In photos: your first look at the sprawling Tokyo Olympic Village

5 Olympic venues you should visit in Tokyo

Where to get official Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic merchandise in Tokyo

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