The biggest event in world sport, the tokyo olympics, has become an essential event for millions of people around the world. After an exceptional global context, these Olympic Games return to unite athletes from all continents in an event marked by excellence, excitement, and achievement. Want to know how to use your old devices to watch the Olympic Games?
If you are passionate about sports and want Watch the Tokyo Olympics for free and liveThis guide offers you up-to-date and detailed information on the best platforms, channels, and apps to follow each event, whether on TV, mobile, computer, or any connected device. You'll also learn exclusive details about the venues, Olympic history, new disciplines, and the most accessible options so you don't miss a single moment of the competition.
How to watch the Tokyo Olympics for free and live
The Tokyo Olympic Games are distinguished by unprecedented media coverage, with opportunities to enjoy each event from anywhere in the world and on any device. The demand for free, live access has prompted major platforms to offer free-to-air broadcasts, full on-demand events, exclusive highlights, and simulcasts.
These are them Main alternatives to watch the Tokyo Olympic Games for free and in high quality:
- RTVE and RTVE Play: Spanish Television offers, through La 1, Teledeporte and its digital platform RTVE Play, more than 400 hours of broadcasting open and free of chargeYou can watch the events live and on-demand, choose from different disciplines, and access exclusive summaries and programs. RTVE Play allows you to watch the Games from your mobile phone, tablet, smart TV, and computer, adapting to any viewing schedule or viewing preference.
- DAZN with Eurosport 1 and 2: DAZN offers streaming access to all Olympic sports through the Eurosport 1 HD and Eurosport 2 HD channels within its platform. Additionally, new users have the opportunity to enjoy one month free trial, which allows you to watch all the Olympic Games for free, including live broadcasts, replays, highlights, and exclusive reports with no commitment.
- Operator platforms: Movistar, Vodafone, and Orange offer Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2 as part of their television packages, allowing customers to enjoy Olympic content in high definition and even in 4K if the signal allows. This is an optimal option if you already have one of these services.
- Olympics.com and official apps: The official website itself olympics.com It allows you to follow the events minute by minute, access summaries, an updated medal table, and multimedia content. This option guarantees global access, often with summaries and replays in multiple languages.
- Apps and multimedia software: Platforms like RTVE Play offer versions for iOS, Android, Smart TVs, and voice assistants. Additionally, it's possible to use channels from M3U/M3U8 playlists on compatible media players like VLC or PotPlayer through TDTChannels, expanding the options for watching live streams without necessarily relying on official websites or apps.
Remember that coverage may vary by region, although in Spain and much of Europe, RTVE and DAZN with Eurosport guarantee access to most events free-to-air and with the highest quality.
RTVE and RTVE Play: Free and complete coverage of the Games
RTVE It has established itself as a favorite among many viewers thanks to its extensive Olympic coverage, which combines broadcasts on La 1, Teledeporte and the digital platform RTVE PlayWith over 400 hours of live content, you can choose from up to five simultaneous signals, making it easy to choose the sport and competition at any time. It also offers a browser to rewind highlights, personalized alerts, and the ability to create playlists based on your favorite sports.
- 24-hour coverage: Teledeporte broadcasts uninterrupted content from the Games, ideal for those who want to keep up with the action, even during the early hours of the Spanish morning.
- Multi-device: RTVE Play works on Smart TVs, mobile phones, tablets, and computers, allowing you to watch the events live, on demand, or resume the competition where you left off.
- Alerts and Personalization: You can schedule alerts about events you don't want to miss, and receive notifications of upcoming live events and summaries of the best Spanish and international acts.
- Additional contents: Access to daily summary videos, biographical videos of the protagonists, exclusive formats like "The Games of Women," and analysis by Olympic athletes.
- Accessibility: Thanks to RNE's voice assistants, you can ask Alexa or Google Home about the medal table, the status of the Spanish delegation, schedules, or summaries of the day.
DAZN and Eurosport: The most comprehensive alternative for sports streaming
DAZN has established itself as the "Netflix of sports" in recent years. During the Tokyo Olympic Games, it offers full coverage of all disciplines across its channels. Eurosport 1 HD and Eurosport 2 HDThe highlight is the option to enjoy one month free trial, which allows access to all Olympic content at no additional cost and with no commitment:
- Accessible from a multitude of devices: You can enjoy DAZN on smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Hisense, Panasonic, Sony, Android TV), mobile phones, tablets (iOS and Android), computers, and consoles.
- All disciplines and simultaneous signals: Eurosport covers more than 4000 hours of testing with up to 57 simultaneous signals, promising you won't miss a single competition and without intrusive advertising.
- exclusive content: In addition to live events and highlights, DAZN offers interviews, reports, documentaries, and original content about Olympic protagonists.
- Image quality: Ability to watch broadcasts in Full HD and 4K, depending on the device and channel.
- Ease of registration: You just need to register an account and add your payment details to activate your free month. You can easily cancel or continue your subscription from the website or app, as you prefer.
Eurosport Player: Full coverage for fans
If you are looking to follow absolutely all the Olympic events in maximum depth, Eurosport Player is another paid option available in Spain and the rest of Europe. Here you'll find up to 4000 hours of content, 57 ad-free channels, and on-demand replays of each discipline. However, a subscription is required (monthly or annual plan), although there are often offers and discounts during Olympic events.
To access 4K content, you'll need Movistar+, Vodafone TV, or Orange TV, as only these providers include Eurosport's 4K signal in their more advanced packages.
Free streaming via IPTV lists and media players
Those who prefer to use media players like VLC or PotPlayer, you can turn to updated databases like TDTChannels, which offer lists in M3U/M3U8 format. Simply copy the list address and paste it into your player to watch national channels (RTVE, Teledeporte, La 1, etc.) live. This is especially useful for those who don't want to install additional apps or prefer to use their PC or favorite multimedia device.
Official Olympic Games channel: Olympics.com and mobile apps
Sports and disciplines of the Tokyo Olympic Games
The Tokyo Olympic Games featured the largest number of sports disciplines, consolidating the event as a global showcase for sport. Traditional sports have been included such as athletics, swimming, basketball, football, gymnastics, cycling and weightlifting, as well as new sports added that seek to attract younger and more diverse audiences. To learn more about the disciplines, you can also explore other specialized guides in sports at the Olympic Games.
- Classic sports: Athletics, Badminton, Basketball (and 3x3 Basketball), Handball, Baseball/Softball, Boxing, Cycling (Road, Track, Mountain, BMX), Aquatic Sports (Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Artistic Swimming, Open Water), Fencing, Horse Riding, Football, Gymnastics (Artistic, Rhythmic, Trampoline), Golf, Weightlifting, Field Hockey, Judo, Wrestling, Modern Pentathlon, Canoeing, Rowing, Rugby 7s, Taekwondo, Tennis, Table Tennis, Olympic Shooting, Archery, Triathlon, Sailing, Volleyball (Indoor and Beach).
- News and new sports: Surfing, Skateboarding, Sport Climbing, Karate, and Baseball. These additions, endorsed by the IOC, reflect the desire to modernize the Olympic program and the commitment to gender equality with the inclusion of more women's sports.
The total number of sports exceeds forty, and the number of disciplines (specialties within each sport) exceeds one hundred. This allows for competitions to suit all tastes, from the most popular sports to the most niche.
Venues and venues of the Olympic Games in Tokyo
The deployment of venues during the Tokyo Olympic Games has a total of 42 facilities to host the 339 competitions. The organizers have set up three main areas:
- Tokyo Bay Area: It includes the Olympic Village, cleaning and high-tech sports facilities, and services for international athletes.
- Central Tokyo: Where the Olympic Stadium (opening ceremony, closing ceremony, athletics competition, and football final), the Metropolitan Gymnasium, and other iconic infrastructure are located.
- Tokyo suburbs: It hosts cycling, golf, sailing, and outdoor sports events. It also has sub-venues in nearby cities such as Fukushima, Miyagi, Sapporo, Enoshima, and Izu.
New infrastructure has been built, historic centers have been adapted, and a modernization process has been undertaken that leaves a legacy for both the city and Japanese sport. Some venues are temporary, while the main venues will remain long-term as world-class venues.
History of the Olympic Games and the legacy of Tokyo
The Olympic tradition dates back to ancient Greece, although the Modern Olympic Games began in Athens in 1896. Tokyo becomes an Olympic venue for the second time after having hosted the Games in 1964, in an edition that marked the beginning of the modernization of the Japanese country.
In the historical medal table, United States Spain leads the way with more than 2500 medals, followed by countries such as the former Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, China, Germany, and France. Spain occupies a prominent position, especially after its successful run at Barcelona 92, where it broke a medal record and consolidated its status on the international scene.
The Tokyo Games have been a milestone due to the international health situation, which has intensified restrictions on spectators and safety protocols, but also demonstrated the adaptability of the organization and athletes.
Spanish participation and medal count in Tokyo
In the last Olympic edition before Tokyo, Spain achieved 17 medals (7 gold, 4 silver, 6 bronze). Athletes such as Carlos Coloma, Mireia Belmonte, Rafa Nadal, Carolina Marín, Lydia Valentín, and Saúl Craviotto became national icons. The goal for Tokyo has been to surpass the historic peak set by Barcelona 92 and consolidate emerging talents in fast-growing disciplines such as swimming, canoeing, athletics, and tennis.
- Most successful sports for Spain: Sailing, Canoeing, Cycling, Athletics and Tennis, totaling more than 60 medals between them.
- Protagonists with medal chances: Mireia Belmonte (swimming), Saúl Craviotto (canoeing), Orlando Ortega (athletics), Lydia Valentín (weightlifting), Ana Peleteiro (triple jump), Jon Rahm (golf).
- Notable absences: Sergio Ramos, Brahim Díaz, and other soccer players were absent, while rhythmic gymnastics and some combat sports registered significant absences.
The Spanish medal tally continues to grow with each edition. Sailing, canoeing, cycling, athletics, and tennis are the sports that have brought the most success to the Spanish delegation, with sailing receiving the most awards, closely followed by canoeing and cycling.
Platforms, apps, and devices: A guide to watching the Olympic Games
- Official apps: RTVE Play and DAZN lead the way in multiplatform experiences. They're available on iOS, Android, Smart TVs, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, and almost any connected device.
- Simple setup: Simply search for the app in your device's app store, download it, register, and then access the live feed or choose from pre-recorded or on-demand content.
- Alternative access: Public DTT channels can be viewed on media players like VLC using M3U/M3U8 playlists. This is useful for those traveling or wanting to watch the signal without relying on the official website.
- Personalized experience: Both RTVE Play and DAZN allow you to create playlists, mark favorites, receive event or athlete alerts, and access real-time statistics and results sections.
Digital platforms have transformed the way we watch the Olympic Games, allowing you to enjoy replays, highlights, expert analysis, interactive content, surveys, and even integration with voice assistants to stay informed about what interests you most.
Frequently asked questions about watching the Tokyo Olympic Games
- Can you watch the Olympic Games live and for free? Yes. Thanks to RTVE (La 1, Teledeporte, RTVE Play) and the DAZN free trial, you can access most content without any hidden costs.
- Do I need a Smart TV to watch the Games? It's not essential. You can watch them from a mobile phone, tablet, computer, console, or any device with internet access. Apps are usually compatible with multiple operating systems.
- Can I change the test or discipline live? Platforms like RTVE Play allow you to choose from different live channels, ideal for watching your favorite sport or athlete.
- What if I miss a test? All major platforms offer on-demand content, sport highlights, performance highlights, and full replays of every matchday or time slot.
- Is there any additional or exclusive content? Yes, from reports, interviews, analysis, exclusive programs focused on Spanish athletes, to content generated by and for social media, such as Twitch or YouTube.
Tips and recommendations to make sure you don't miss anything during the Games
- Activate alerts and notifications in your favorite app to always stay up to date on upcoming events, medals, or calendar changes.
- Set up your favorites list with the sports and athletes that interest you most to quickly access their content.
- Follow the official social networks from RTVE, Olympics, and DAZN to keep you informed of news, exclusive sweepstakes, and special content shared only on those channels.
- Take advantage of voice assistants to request real-time information, from results to schedules or updated medal counts.
Explore all the possibilities offered by new technologies to enjoy a personalized, immersive Olympic experience tailored to your lifestyle. With free access, HD quality, and on-demand options, the Tokyo Olympic Games marked a turning point in the way we can enjoy universal sport from anywhere.