2020 Tokyo Olympics TV schedule: What to watch July 22-25

Maggie Steffens Olympics
USA water polo star Maggie Steffens.
REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

With some competitions already underway in Tokyo for the 2020 Summer Olympics, the world’s largest stage in sports has officially raised its curtain — even with the opening ceremonies officially airing on Friday.

A jam-packed weekend of events will ensure everyone from the diehard sports fanatics to the most casual of viewers will be glued to their television sets as NBC and its family of networks brings more than 6,000 hours of Olympic coverage to American homes.

While an overwhelming schedule awaits, we try to make it as easy as possible for you. Here is the rundown of what to watch over the pre-opening-ceremony schedule and the first two official days of the Olympic competition.

Thursday, July 22

Sport Event Time (ET) Channel
Softball Italy vs. Australia 2 a.m. – 4 a.m. NBCSN
Men’s Soccer Egypt vs. Spain 3:30 a.m. – 5:30 a.m. Olympic Channel
Men’s Soccer Mexico vs. France 4 a.m. – 6 a.m. USA
Men’s Soccer New Zealand vs. South Korea 4 a.m. – 6 a.m. NBCSN
Men’s Soccer Ivory Coast vs. Saudi Arabia 5:30 a.m. – 6:30 a.m. Olympic Channel
Men’s Soccer Argentina vs. Australia 6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Olympic Channel
Men’s Soccer Japan vs. South Africa 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. NBCSN
Men’s Soccer Brazil vs. Germany 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. USA
Men’s Soccer Honduras vs. Romania 8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. Olympic Channel
Rowing Qualifying Heats 7:30 p.m. – 11:10 p.m. NBCSN

One thing to watch: Mexico vs. France

The only other match on Thursday’s schedule that can rival Brazil vs. Germany, Mexico vs. France two of the most interesting players at the tournament. For El Tri, Diego Lainez is the only player on the Mexico roster that does not play his club soccer domestically, currently plying his trade for Real Betis in Spain. This could be a coming-out party of sorts for the 21-year-old.

As for France, their over-age selection comes in the form of André-Pierre Gignac, a 35-year-old forward who plays his club soccer in Mexico for Tigres where he is considered a superstar. He last suited up for France in November 2016 during World Cup qualifying.

 

Friday, July 23

Sport Event Time (ET) Channel
Olympics Opening Ceremony 6:55 a.m. – 11 a.m. NBC
Rowing Qualifying Heat & Repechages 7:30 p.m. – 2 a.m. USA
Cycling Men’s Road Race 7:30 p.m. – 2 a.m. USA
Tennis Men’s/Women’s first-round singles, doubles 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. Olympic Channel
Women’s Water Polo USA vs. Japan 12 a.m. – 2 a.m. NBCSN

One thing to watch: USA vs. Japan women’s water polo

Somewhat of an unknown fact, the US women’s water polo team has been a juggernaut over the better part of the last decade, winning gold medals at the Olympics in 2012 and 2016 while taking home world championships in 2015, 2017, and 2019. At the heart of it all, once again, will be Maggie Steffens — the United States’ most dangerous threat, who ranks second in Olympic history with 38 goals.

 

Saturday, July 24

Sport Event Time (ET) Channel
Tennis Men’s/Women’s first-round singles, doubles 2 a.m. – 7 a.m. Olympic Channel
Women’s Water Polo USA vs. Japan (replay) 2 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. NBCSN
Softball USA vs. Mexico 2 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. NBCSN
Archery Mixed Team Final 2 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. NBCSN
Women’s Soccer Sweden vs. Australia 2 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. NBCSN
Cycling Men’s Road Race 2 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. USA
Beach Volleyball Women’s Qualifying Round 2 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. USA
Swimming Qualifying Heats 2 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. USA
Beach Volleyball Men’s Qualifying Round 2 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. USA
Basketball Men’s 3×3 2 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. USA
Men’s Gymnastics Qualifying 6 a.m. – 11 a.m. Peacock
Men’s Volleyball USA vs. France 6 a.m. – 11 a.m. Peacock
Women’s Soccer USA vs. New Zealand 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. NBCSN
Men’s Volleyball USA vs. France (replay) 9 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. NBC
Beach Volleyball Women’s Qualifying Round (replay) 8 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. NBC
Swimming Finals 8 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. NBC
Skateboarding Men’s Street Qualifying 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. USA
Basketball Men’s 3×3 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. USA
Skateboarding Men’s Street Final 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. USA
Cycling Women’s Round Race 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. USA
Softball USA vs. Australia 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. CNBC
Tennis Men’s/Women’s first-round singles, doubles 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. Olympic Channel
Skateboarding Men’s Street Qualifying 11:30 p.m. – 2 a.m. NBC
Men’s Water Polo USA vs. Japan 1 a.m. – 2 a.m. CNBC

One thing to watch: USA vs. New Zealand women’s soccer

The United States’ Olympic campaign could not have gotten off to a worse start as they were thumped 3-0 by Sweden in their Group G opener. New Zealand provides an opportunity for the USWNT to get back on track, as this is a country the Americans have not lost to in women’s soccer since 1987 (15-1-1 all-time). A win would set up a massive Group G finale against Australia — who defeated New Zealand on Wednesday — and would likely decide who advances to the knockout stages.

Sunday, July 25

Sport Event Time (ET) Channel
Men’s Water Polo USA vs. Japan 2 a.m. – 4 a.m. CNBC
Diving Women’s Synchronized Springboard Final 2 a.m. – 4 a.m. CNBC
Archery Women’s Team Final 2 a.m. – 4 a.m. CNBC
Tennis Men’s/Women’s first-round singles, doubles 2 a.m. – 7 a.m. Olympic Channel
Cycling Women’s Road Race 2 a.m. – 8:20 a.m. USA
Women’s 3×3 Basketball USA vs. Romania 2 a.m. – 8:20 a.m. USA
Swimming Qualifying Heats 2 a.m. – 8:20 a.m. USA
Men’s Soccer Brazil vs. Ivory Coast 4:30 a.m. – 6:30 a.m. NBCSN
Gymnastics Women’s Qualifying 6 a.m. – 11 a.m. Peacock
Men’s Basketball USA vs. France 6 a.m. – 11 a.m. Peacock
Men’s Soccer Australia vs. Spain 6:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. NBCSN
Swimming Qualifying Heats 8 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. NBC
Women’s 3×3 Basketball USA vs. Taiwan 8 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. NBC
Beach Volleyball Men’s Qualifying Round 8 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. NBC
Men’s Soccer Japan vs. Mexico 8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. NBCSN
Triathlon Men’s Final 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. USA
Beach Volleyball Women’s Qualifying Round 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. USA
Triathlon Men’s Final 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. NBC
Skateboarding Women’s Street Final 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. CNBC
Rugby Men’s Qualifying Round 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. CNBC
Skateboarding Women’s Street Final 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. CNBC
Men’s Basketball Argentina vs. Slovenia 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. CNBC
Softball USA vs. Japan 9 p.m. – 11 p.m. USA
Swimming Finals 9:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. NBC
Tennis Men’s/Women’s second-round singles, doubles 2 a.m. – 7 a.m. Olympic Channel
Basketball 3×3 11 p.m. – 2 a.m. USA
Beach Volleyball Women’s Qualifying Round 11 p.m. – 2 a.m. USA
Women’s Water Polo USA vs. China 11 p.m. – 2 a.m. USA
Skateboarding Women’s Street Final 11:30 p.m. – 2 a.m. NBC

One thing to watch: USA vs. France men’s basketball

The three-time defending gold medalists at the Olympics and still the clear-cut power on the men’s basketball world stage, the United States men’s basketball team is heading into Tokyo on shaky ground after an uncertain exhibition slate. The US lost its first two games to Nigeria and Australia before rebounding to take down the stronger Argentina and Spain.

They’ll get a considerable boost in the arrival of recent NBA Finals opponents-turned-teammates. After the Bucks took down the Phoenix Suns in six games to take the Larry O’Brien Trophy on Tuesday night, Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday, along with Phoenix star Devin Booker, will join the national team in Tokyo.

Their first test comes in the form of France, headlined by Utah Jazz defensive stalwart and All-Star center, Rudy Gobert.