THREE China Film Cinema outlets in Shenzhen are now offering reservations for the live coverage of the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony, which is scheduled to take place from 1:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. July 27 (Beijing time).

The three cinemas are located at OCT Harbor in Nanshan District, Rainbow Shopping Center in Longhua District, and the SCPG Center in Futian District. Ticket prices range from 45 yuan (US$6.2) to 68 yuan, according to Shenzhen Evening News. The livestream will start once a particular number of reservations are reached before July 26, the newspaper said.

If successful, this initiative will mark the first time that the Olympic Games TV program will be broadcast live in local movie theaters. The screening is set to feature various exciting events from the Paris Olympics, including the highly anticipated opening and closing ceremonies.

Wu Linfang, the manager of the OCT Harbor outlet, said that the cinema has already received inquiries regarding the livestream.

Some sports fans have shared their enthusiasm, emphasizing that the immersive audio-visual experience of a theater is superior to watching at home. They are particularly interested in sports such as table tennis, swimming, and badminton.

A resident surnamed Chen said that due to the time difference, key Olympic events will occur during late-night hours. Watching them at home may not provide the same lively atmosphere and could disrupt sleeping neighbors. Chen suggested that bringing together sports enthusiasts in movie theaters could enhance the overall viewing experience. (Wang Jingli)