2016 Rio Olympics daily viewer's guide – Prologue (August 3)
Today’s games (all times eastern)
Women’s Soccer:
NBCSN
11:30 a.m.
Sweden vs. South Africa (LIVE)
2 p.m.
Canada vs. Australia (LIVE)
4 p.m.
TBA
6 p.m.
U.S. vs. New Zealand (LIVE)
9 p.m.
France vs. Colombia (LIVE)
USA Network
3 p.m.
Brazil vs. China (LIVE)
5 p.m.
Zimbabwe vs. Germany (LIVE)
SOCCER SPECIALTY CHANNEL
Noon
Sweden vs. South Africa (LIVE)
2 p.m.
Canada vs. Australia (LIVE)
4 p.m.
Brazil vs. China
6 p.m.
U.S. vs. New Zealand (LIVE)
8 p.m.
Zimbabwe vs. Germany
9 p.m.
France vs. Colombia (LIVE)
11 p.m.
U.S. vs. New Zealand Encore
NBC UNIVERSO
3 p.m.
Brazil vs. China (LIVE)
6 p.m.
U.S. vs. New Zealand (LIVE)
It’s really time. The show.
No more trials or qualifiers. This is it.
So here’s a gif that is indicative of my mood in the most professional manner.
The athletes weren’t the only ones preparing for the Olympics, after all. Viewers have waited four years since the last Summer Olympic Games. Sure, there have been world championships, meets and world cups in between, but nothing compares to what’s at stake at the Olympics.
And thankfully for fans, they won’t even have to wait until the Opening Ceremony to get their 2016 Rio Games started.
Two days before the Olympics officially kicks off, the first competitive event begins. Women’s soccer will have an entire day to themselves, as fans are treated to the world’s game in the world’s games.
Let this guide serve as a playbook for how to get the most out of your watching experience for the first day of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
What should I watch?
Ummm, soccer? It’s the only sport on today.
The game most fans will want to watch is going to simulcasted on multiple channels. The United States begins their gold medal defense against New Zealand in the primetime slot starting 6 p.m. ET on NBCSN, NBC Universo and the Soccer Specialty Channel. Carli Lloyd is looking build on her Golden Ball performance at the 2015 World Cup as the United States is on a quest for their fourth straight gold medal.
But, if you want a little more international flavor, tuning into Brazil vs. China on the USA Network and NBC Univero at 3 p.m. ET should satisfy your hunger. Brazil Captain Marta is back for her fourth Olympics and brings 103 goals with her into the tournament. Brazil finished 6th at the London Games in 2012, and will be looking to do much better playing at home.
Don’t sleep on Canada, though. The Canadian women pushed the United States to the brink in 2012, losing in dramatic fashion in extra time. They start their campaign to avenge that loss against Australia on NBCSN and Soccer Specialty Channel at 2 p.m. ET.
How should I watch?
Fortunately today, everything is pretty linear in terms of when games start and when games end. Fans won’t have to be flipping channels and making choices on where to stay.
And if your workplace did not buy your “Olympic spirit” excuse for missing work, you can sneakily stream the game on your phone or tablet on the NBC Sports App or work computer on NBCOlympics.com if you’re feeling particularly risky.
The first game of the Olympics starts at 12 p.m. ET with Sweden squaring off against South Africa. If you’re not one to take pride in being the one of the first to tune into the Olympics, wait for Canada vs. Australia at 2 p.m. ET on TV and throw on a live stream of Brazil vs. China at 3 p.m. ET on your tablet, phone or computer.
Once the Brazil-China game ends at 5 p.m. ET, the live stream of Germany vs. Zimbabwe begins. An hour into that, tune into NBCSN, NBC Universo or the Soccer Specialty Channel to watch the USA take on New Zealand.
The final game of night will pit France vs. Columbia at 9 p.m. ET on NBCSN and the Soccer Specialty Channel. The game will feature French midfielder Amandine Henry who was runner up to Carli Lloyd for the Golden Ball at the 2015 World Cup.
There you have. Almost twelve straight hours of soccer without breaking a sweat. Pace yourself though. There are 18 more days of Olympic games to watch.
