3 Ways to Celebrate the Tokyo 2020 Olympics at Universal Orlando

After a year’s delay and much debate, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics are finally underway, and sports fans have three ways to get immersed in the Summer Games while visiting the Universal Orlando Resort now through August 8.

Universal Orlando’s Comcast corporate cousin NBC is once again broadcasting this summer’s Olympic games, so it’s no surprise that visitors will find tributes to Tokyo 2020 throughout the resort. Here’s a trio of options for enjoying the Universal Orlando Tokyo 2020 Olympics-inspired events around the theme parks.

CityWalk’s NBC Sports Grill & Brew Tokyo Olympics Specials

NBC Sports is the television home of the Olympics in America, so it’s only natural that the network’s namesake restaurant is ground zero for Tokyo 2020 celebrations at CityWalk.

Inside the restaurant, you’ll find several special menu items inspired by the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, including tempura-fried shishito green peppers, Wagyu beef burger, and Japanese spiced fries.

However, you don’t need to eat at NBC Sports Grill & Brew to get an eyeful of of its enormous outdoor screen, which will show scenes from the Games that can been seen from across the CityWalk lagoon.

Universal Studios Florida Music Plaza Olympic Viewing

For the length of the Tokyo 2020 Games, Universal Studios Florida’s Music Plaza—best known as the site of Mardi Gras concerts—has been transformed into an open-air Olympics viewing area.

Park guests can park themselves on the artificial lawn and catch up with the Games on a giant screen inside the bandshell sitting beneath Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit’s iconic non-inverting loop.

If watching world-class athletes makes you hungry, tents serving Japanese-inspired food ring the Music Plaza.

We enjoyed the shrimp takoyaki (which were less rubbery but just as flavorful as the authentic appetizer), as well as the cold sake and rainbow sushi roll.

The tents originally opened in early June but have been closed in recent weeks; hopefully, Universal will keep them staffed to serve guests enjoying the Olympic coverage.

Universal’s Cinematic “Celebration of the Olympics” Preshow

Last but far from least, Universal’s Cinematic Celebration fountain and fireworks spectacular is running nightly through the Games at Universal Studios Florida, currently featuring a special “Celebration of the Olympics” preshow paying tribute to Olympians past and present.

The stirring 5-minute segment, which features John Williams’s memorable musical fanfare, is presented prior to the published showtime for the Cinematic Celebration show, so make sure you’ve staked out your lagoon-side spot in Central Park at least 10 minutes before showtime.

You can watch the full “Celebration of the Olympics” preshow here:

And here’s the complete Cinematic Celebration main show:

For all there is to see and do at Universal Orlando, check out The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando. If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to our YouTube channel and sign up for our newsletter here. Be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube.