In a landmark moment for British sport, the United Kingdom has been confirmed as the host for the historic 2027 Grand Départ of both the men's Tour de France and the women's Tour de France Femmes. This marks the first time both races will start outside France, promising the biggest festival of elite cycling on British soil since the London 2012 Olympics.
A Six-Day Spectacle Across Britain
The ambitious schedule will see six days of racing on British roads. The men's Tour de France will commence in Edinburgh on Friday, 2 July 2027, with an opening stage traversing the Scottish Borders to Carlisle. Stage two then journeys from Keswick to Liverpool, before a monumental third stage makes history with the race's first-ever visit to Wales. This leg starts in Welshpool and finishes in Cardiff, featuring a challenging route through the Welsh Valleys with eight climbs packed into the final 50 miles.
Four weeks later, the spotlight turns to the women's peloton. The Tour de France Femmes will launch from Leeds on 30 July, racing to Manchester on stage one. The second stage will take riders through the iconic Peak District to Sheffield, with the final UK day of racing scheduled for central London on 1 August, although precise route details for the capital are still to be finalised.
Building on Past Success and Eyeing a Greater Legacy
This double-headed Grand Départ is a far more complex undertaking than the UK's last hosting in 2014, which capitalised on British victories by Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome. That event was a resounding success, drawing an estimated 3.5 million spectators to the roadsides and generating £128 million in economic benefit.
Officials are now aiming even higher. Jon Dutton, chief executive of British Cycling, stated they expect to see a staggering 10 million people lining the routes in 2027. Simon Morton, UK Sport’s director of events, emphasised the ambition to "host a massive sporting event that would genuinely thread together the countries, cities, and communities of Great Britain," inspiring people nationwide and delivering lasting benefits.
Voices of Enthusiasm from Riders and Leaders
The announcement has been met with widespread acclaim. Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France, praised the UK's "passion and pride," noting the route reflects "the beauty and diversity of Britain’s terrain." Eluned Morgan, the First Minister of Wales, highlighted the pride in hosting a stage for the first time, calling it a "fantastic opportunity to showcase our stunning landscapes" and inspire more people to get active.
Former world champion Lizzie Deignan, a veteran of the women's race, hailed the decision as "a huge moment for the sport." She added, "Racing the Tour de France Femmes has been one of the highlights of my career... This is an opportunity that will inspire countless women and girls to get on their bikes."
To celebrate the announcement, all host cities were illuminated with yellow beams on Thursday night, symbolising the famous leader's jersey and the bright future of cycling in the UK. British Cycling sees this as a "once‐in‐a‐generation chance" to foster a healthier, more active nation, ensuring a powerful legacy long after the peloton has moved on.
