Seven things you should know about the Sochi Olympics opening ceremony

The competition may have already started at the Sochi Games, but let's face it, the Olympics don't really get started until we're wowed by the opening ceremony.

In recent years, they've gotten bigger, more lavish and more impressive. Friday's "Welcome to Sochi" event at Fisht Stadium promises to be no different. It'll be a celebration of Russia, and the rest of the world too, but mostly Russia.

[ Video: Luger falls off sled at full speed, regains control and finishes the run ]

There's a lot to know about the opening ceremony — tops on that list, how do you watch them? — so we've put together this guide of seven things you should know about the Sochi Games opening ceremony.

1. You can't watch live in the U.S.
As you know, the opening ceremony is, to many people, the most interesting part of the games. As such, NBC is trying to put all American eyes on its primetime telecast. The network isn't streaming the ceremony live online like it is the rest of the Olympics events. Want to watch it? You'll have to tune in at 7:30 p.m. ET. Word is, however, if you're good enough at navigating the Internet, you might be able to find an online feed.

2. Russia is going all out.
In recent Olympics, host countries have been upping the ante on opening ceremony excess. The ceremony in Bejiing in 2008, for example, featured 14,000 performers. The Sochi edition is reported to include 3,500 fireworks and a performance from the pop duo tATu. Russia is approaching these Olympics, and therefore its opening ceremony, as a way to tell the world that "Russia is back." So you can expect that no expense will be spared.

3. We don't know exactly what's going to happen — and that's on purpose.
You can't give away all the surprises before the big show. Of course, by the time it airs in the United States, anybody with an Internet connect will be able to find out what happened, if they so desire. That fact aside, here's some of what the Russians have planned, via the Wall Street Journal:

4. Vladimir Putin is going to be there.
This is his party, so of course he'll be watching every second of it. At a recent rehearshal, there was even someone put in place to watch it as if he were Putin. That tells us that it's important that a certain head honcho isn't disappointed by what he sees. One more Putin-related thing to watch for. It's been rumored that his purported girlfriend, Alina Kabayeva, the 2004 rhythmic gymnastics gold medalist, will get the honor of lighting the Olympic flame. Hmmm. We'll see.

5. Opening ceremonies have a big price tag.
We don't know exactly yet how much money will be poured into the opening ceremony. But we know the bill to throw these things is usually huge and Russia is spending $50 billion for these Olympics, so this is no time to skimp. At the 2012 London Games, the opening ceremony alone cost a reported $42 million. The Bejiing Games in 2008 had a ceremony that cost an estimated $100 million. Whatever the Sochi price is, it would have paid for a lot of nesting dolls.

6. Eyes will be on the flag bearers.
Each country will have someone carrying their flag during the parade of nations. The U.S. flag bearer is skier Todd Lodwick. The host nation's flag bearer is Alexander Zubkov, a Russian bobsled star and medal candidate.

7. It's kind of like a fashion show.
In addition to the theatrics, performances and fireworks, another thing that will have people abuzz is the outfits worn by each country. To some nations — the U.S. included — the opening ceremony is treated like a fashion show. Here is their outfit, designed by Ralph Lauren.

You can be sure you'll see post-opening ceremony lists ranking who had the best and worst outfits, like this was New York Fashion Week. We can't wait to see what Norway wears.

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Mike Oz

is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at mikeozstew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @MikeOz