.I will try to update with new posts and threads daily, July 20 Softball What: United States vs. Italy (opening round) When: July 20, 11 p.m. TV: NBCSN and streaming Softball is the first sport in action in Tokyo, returning after a two-Games absence and featuring all three medal-winning teams from the most recent Olympic competition on the opening night. The U.S. team plays in the second of three straight games at the Fukushima Azuma Baseball Stadium. You can also watch Japan-Australia (July 20, 8 p.m.) and Mexico-Canada (July 21, 2 a.m.) on NBCSN. Japan won gold the last time softball was contested at the Olympics, in 2008, with the U.S. taking silver and Australia earning bronze. July 21 Women's soccer What: United States vs. Sweden (group stage) When: July 21, 4:30 a.m. TV: USA and streaming The U.S. women's streak of three straight Olympic golds came to an end in Rio in 2016 when the Americans went out in a penalty shootout against Sweden in the quarterfinals. So it's fitting that the once-again favorites' quest to get back atop the medal stand begins with a group-stage match against the Swedes. The game is one of six in the opening swath of games, all with start times between 3:30 and 7:30 a.m. and all on NBCSN, USA or the Olympic Channel. Don't want to get up quite so early for this one? NBCSN will air the replay at 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Softball What: the United States vs. Canada (opening round) When: 8 p.m. TV: NBCSN and streaming The second crop of opening-round games shuffles up the six competing teams. Mexico-Japan (11 p.m.) follows, then Italy-Australia (July 22, 2 a.m.), both also on NBCSN. July 22 Men's soccer What: Eight group-stage games, including Mexico-France and Brazil-Germany When: Start times from 3:30 to 7:30 a.m. TV: NBCSN, USA, Olympic Channel and streaming The U.S. didn't qualify for this tournament, and almost all players in the Olympics have to be 24 or younger, so this isn't the same as a World Cup competition, but the event's first games will have the stage all to themselves on Thursday morning. Each team is allowed three veteran players, so there will be some familiar names for international soccer fans. Rowing What: Men's and women's single, double and quadruple sculls heats When: 7:30-11:10 p.m. TV: NBCSN and streaming That's right, let's do that rowing. There are some preliminary archery and shooting events this night as well, but the full slate of heats in men's and women's single, double and quadruple sculls is the main show on TV in primetime Eastern on Thursday for those who are interested. July 23 Opening Ceremony When: 7-11 a.m. TV: NBC The official opening of the Games will look quite a bit different played out in front of a fan-less stadium and in a country currently in a state of emergency due to COVID-19. NBC will re-air the ceremony in primetime Friday night.
