What time is the Paralympics opening ceremony today? TV channel information and more

The curtain-raising event marks the start of the Games in Tokyo

Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force Blue Impulse acrobatic team flies over the National Stadium (Getty)

The Paralympics are here and the opening ceremony will kick things off in Tokyo.

We can expect plenty of dancing, a light show and more fireworks in the Japanese capital.

The organisers will also have an overriding message, which will likely include elements of peace, inclusivity and harmony.

There will be almost two weeks of thrilling action from Tuesday, 24 August through to Sunday, 5 September.

Here’s everything you need to know about the opening ceremony and how to follow:

When and where is it?

The opening ceremony takes place on Tuesday, 24 August, at the Japan National Stadium, also known at the Olympic Stadium, which has a 68,000 capacity. The closing ceremony will also take place there on 5 September.

What time is it?

Just like the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, fans will not have to be up very early for this one with the ceremony starting at midday (BST), with it taking up to four hours to finish.

Where can I watch it?

Channel 4 are the rights holders for the Paralympic Games and will be show the opening ceremony. Ade Adepitan was present the coverage, which starts at 11.30am. Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson will be onside to serve as a pundit, with Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Rob Walker commentating.

Independent Sport will have live coverage with the live blog to follow all the action and reaction from social media.

Who will be Team GB’s flagbearers?

Swimmer Ellie Simmonds and archer John Stubbs have been selected as Great Britain’s flagbearers for the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympics. Simmonds is poised for her fourth successive Games having already won eight medals, including five golds. Stubbs was Paralympic champion in the individual compound event at Beijing 2008 and also claimed silver in the team compound at Rio 2016.

Simmonds has also spoken of her belief that reality television and the Black Lives Matter movement have each contributed to improving the image of the Paralympics.

“Even before Beijing, people thought I was going to special Olympics; the Paralympics and disabilities were still under wraps really,” said Simmonds, who was just 13 when she made her debut in China in 2008. “People didn’t really know what it was.

“Disabilities - and especially the Paralympics - were brought into height in London 2012 and the Paralympic movement and disability has just crept up and it’s just amazing to see - it’s been showcased and it’s amazing.

“It’s not just achondroplasia or different disabilities in sport but it’s also now in other things: you had Jonnie (Peacock), you had Lauren (Steadman), you had Will (Bayley) in Strictly (Come Dancing), you had Hollie (Arnold) in I’m a Celebrity (Get Me Out of Here).

“There’s so many athletes out there with disabilities in reality TV and that’s so good for all different disabilities.

“And not just in those types of reality TV (programmes) but seeing it on TV, so kids growing up are more aware that there are so many different people.

“I think also we’ve seen the rise about it being OK to be different, the likes of Black Lives Matter, the acceptance of all that, the change, the protest and the awareness of there are so many different people out there.”