Following Covid delays, the Toyko 2020 Olympics started on 23 July 2021, with more than two weeks of action across the 33 various sports, from athletics and boxing, to gymnastics and swimming. The Closing ceremony will also be streamed live for the world to watch, as the Opening one was on 23 July.

This is our guide on how to watch Tokyo 2020 Olympics sporting action on various platforms. Whether TV, online, mobile or radio, we have you covered.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games timings

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics started on 23 July and run through to 8 August 2021.

It is important to note, especially if you are in the UK, that Tokyo is in a different time zone so events will be on British TV screens several hours earlier than you'd expect as Tokyo is 8 hours ahead of British Summer Time (BST).

How can I watch the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on TV?

Traditionally the BBC has the rights to the Olympic Games in the UK, although this time around its coverage is scaled back from that in 2012 and 2016. Basically, it can only show two live streams at one time in addition to highlights.

That's because the rights are actually owned by Eurosport which brands itself as 'home of the Olympics in Europe' - the broadcaster struck a deal for the BBC to show some coverage subsequently. Legally, the Olympics have to be shown on free-to-air TV in the UK.

Eurosport's coverage will also be available through the Discovery+ streaming service. You can get Discovery 4K through Sky Q in the UK. 

Discovery/Eurosport also has a dedicated virtual reality studio called 'The Cube', meaning that it's able to bring together pundits and streams from up to seven different locations. 

How to watch the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on TV, online and on mobile photo 2
Discovery

In the US, NBC has rights to the Olympic coverage as usual and will be offering its comprehensive, every-event coverage on NBC TV and on NBCOlympics.com.

On the BBC there will be coverage every night on BBC One from midnight to 5am, followed by a special edition of BBC Breakfast from 5am to 9am with the best of the overnight action.

There is continuous coverage throughout the day, with a Today At The Games show taking place from 7:30pm to 9pm on BBC One every day looking back at the biggest and best moments from the day's events. You can then continue watching the action on BBC Two with Olympics Extra taking place from 9pm to 10pm.

All shows on BBC One and BBC Two will also be available to watch live or on-demand on BBC iPlayer.

How can I watch the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games online?

In the US, NBC will have all the live stream coverage at its dedicated Olympics site

In the UK, BBC Sport website will also be hosting highlights and live channels all day, every day of the event. Just head to bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics. You can also live stream from BBC iPlayer. 

There is also interactive content across BBC Sport's social media channels, including Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Twitter, that will allow you to get involved in the excitement.

As we mentioned, Eurosport's full all-sport coverage is also available through Discovery+ online and through apps. Discovery will also be showing the Olympics closing ceremony on YouTube in Europe, as it did with the opening ceremony. There is also a bunch of other Olympics themed videos on Eurosport's YouTube channel and highlights, too. 

How can I watch the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on my smartphone or tablet?

The BBC Sport app for iOS and Android will provide all the news and details coming from the Games in the UK. In the US, you can get the NBC Sports app. 

You can also set up the apps to send you notifications of anything you want to keep track of. That includes Tokyo 2020 in general or any of the sports individually. There are also live text updates available. 

You can watch the live broadcasts through BBC iPlayer or the NBC Sports app on your mobile device.

How can I listen to Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on radio?

BBC Radio 5 Live is offering a 17-day schedule of the Olympic Games that started on 23 July.

There is an Olympic Breakfast show from 6am to 9am that will cover all the overnight news from Japan and live commentary as it happens.

From 1am to 6am each day, a show called Up All Night will cover the latest from the morning sessions in Tokyo, while from 11am to 2pm, BBC Radio 5 Live have the action from the evening events. There is then a daily highlights show on Radio 5 Live Sport. All shows will be available on BBC Sounds too.

Additionally, BBC Sounds offers an on-demand Olympics Daily podcast that rounds up the best commentary moments and stories from The Games. There is a new podcast called Olympic Mile too, which is a three-part series that sees Olympic snowboarder Aimee Fuller get to know athletes as they prepare for this year's Summer Olympics by walking a mile with them.