The Tour de France Grand Départ will start from Edinburgh on Friday, July 2, 2027, with the opening stage travelling south through Midlothian and the Scottish Borders before finishing in Carlisle. The event is expected to generate more than £45.4m in economic impact for the Scottish capital, with wider spending and spin-offs potentially reaching £100m for the nation.
Stage route and opening ceremony
The opening stage is approximately 184 km long, passing the Melrose area before crossing into England. The official rider presentation and opening ceremony will take place on the evening of Wednesday, June 30, at Edinburgh Castle, with tickets advertised from £27 and on sale from midday on Friday, October 30, 2026, with earlier presale windows for eligible groups.
The race route will snake through the Grassmarket and other central areas of Edinburgh, where riders will move in a “neutralised” mode, slower than race pace, offering a prime viewing opportunity for spectators.
Free viewing and travel impact
Cycling fans and other spectators can watch the race without charge, with the event billed as “the world’s biggest free event”. Accessible roadside viewing areas will be open to the public at no fee. However, with expected crowds of over 1.27 million, full road closures, parking restrictions, and temporary traffic management measures will be in place across Edinburgh and beyond.
Scotland's long pursuit of the Grand Départ
Scotland has attempted to host a Tour de France Grand Départ for more than 15 years, narrowly losing out to Yorkshire in 2014. The decision to bring the Tour to Edinburgh follows recent cycling events in Scotland, including the inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships in 2023, which saw more than a million supporters over 11 days of action.
