The Rugby World Cup will kick off in style with the official opening ceremony this morning.
Hosts Japan open the competition against Russia but before the first ball is kicked the sold-out Tokyo Stadium will host a spectacular show in front of a world-wide audience.
The special pre-match show will kick-off with an exhibition from Blue Impulse, the aerobatics squadron of the Japanese Air Self Defense Force, followed by various performances celebrating the country’s ancient and modern culture – and its growing passion for rugby.
Here’s how you can follow it all.
When is the opening ceremony?
The show gets under way at 10.30am (UK time) on Friday September 20 at Tokyo Stadium.
TV channel, live stream and start time
ITV will have live coverage of the opening ceremony from 10:25am, taking you straight into the opening game of the tournament which kicks off at 11:45am.
You can also tune in via the ITV Hub.
What’s on the show?
The Rugby World Cup’s official website promises a ceremony that will “draw on deeply symbolic Japanese cultural references to illustrate the passion, expectation and excitement the people of Japan have for the tournament.”
Japan Rugby World Cup 2019 Organising Committee CEO Akira Shimazu said: “The message of our opening ceremony is that connections made through sport, through both its simplicity and universal appeal, can help build better understanding and friendship by inspiring people of all nations with the promise of a bright, positive future.
"Rugby has the power to unite through its ethos of respect, inclusion and integrity and our sincerest hope is that the tournament has this effect. From rugby enthusiasts to fans of Japanese culture, the opening ceremony has something for everybody, setting the scene for an unforgettable tournament.”
