The kickoff of the European Masters Games will take place during an opening ceremony held at Place Masséna starting at 6:15 PM, featuring the athletes’ parade, the traditional ceremonial proceedings, and a stunning aerial show over the reflecting pool at the Promenade du Paillon.
For the first time in EMG history, with over 6,500 participants competing in 27 sports, the European Masters Games will transform the city of Nice into a vast sports competition arena from October 1st to 11th.
A festive and intergenerational parade
The Nice Fire Brigade Marching Band, a batucada, dozens of flag bearers, 90 children, hundreds of seniors from Nice, and thousands of international veteran athletes will gather for an exceptional parade! The procession will start from Quai des États-Unis and make its way to Place Masséna… The parade will be broadcast live on giant screens set up near the Reflecting Pool on the Promenade du Paillon.
Flag-raising, speeches, and cannon blasts… Then, starting from 7 PM at the Reflecting Pool, the ceremonial proceedings will officially open these 11 days of competition intended for veteran athletes from around the world!
An extraordinary aerial show titled “The Spirit of Sport”
Starting at 7:45 PM, the Compagnie des Farfadais and its fantastical-mythological universe will enchant the audience with a show themed around the world of sports and its history. With “The Spirit of Sport,” travel back in time to meet the mythical gods of Olympus, where Hera, Zeus’s wife, will challenge the gods to descend among men to designate the bravest who will compete in spectacular sporting contests…
To let the dream triumph, a crane soaring 25 meters high will be installed over the reflecting pool, allowing incredible aerial and acrobatic feats!
Subsequently, the village will reopen its doors, after having temporarily closed them at 5 PM for the ceremony, for the first medal ceremony honoring the athletes who participated in the Karate Kata competition and for the first night event of the EMG.
Here we go, the games are on!
