The Paris Olympics Opening Ceremonies are poised to become the largest event in Olympic history. 

In an unprecedented move, the ceremony will take place outside a stadium and open to the public.

Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming event on July 26.

The Opening Ceremony will be held over a six-kilometre stretch of the Seine through the heart of Paris and feature a floating parade of boats for each national delegation (91 in total). The 10,500 athletes will begin their route near Austerlitz Bridge by the Jardin des Plantes, circle around the two central islands (Île Saint Louis and Île de la Cité), and glide past numerous official Games venues before concluding their journey in front of the Trocadéro where they will be treated to a show and the lighting of the Olympic torch. The whole ceremony is expected to last about three and a half hours.