Britain is set to become the epicentre of world cycling in the summer of 2027, after organisers unveiled the full routes for the historic Grand Departs of both the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes. This marks the first time the premier men's and women's races will launch from the same nation outside of France, promising a spectacular festival of sport.
A Historic Double Header for British Cycling
The landmark announcement, made on Thursday 15 January 2026, confirms that Edinburgh will host the men's Grand Depart on 2 July 2027. This will be the third time Britain has staged the start of the iconic race, following London in 2007 and Leeds in 2014. In a major step for women's sport, Leeds will stage the Grand Depart for the Tour de France Femmes on 30 July 2027, the first time the women's event has begun outside France.
In total, three stages for each race will be held on British soil. To celebrate the news, ten host towns and cities were illuminated with symbolic yellow beams, heralding what is billed as the largest free sporting spectacle in British history.
Challenging Routes Across Iconic Landscapes
The men's race will kick off with a demanding, hilly stage from Edinburgh across the Scottish Borders to Carlisle. Stage two promises stunning scenery on a route from Keswick in the Lake District to Liverpool. The final UK leg will be a brutally tough test, featuring eight categorised climbs on the journey from Welshpool in Wales to Cardiff.
For the Tour de France Femmes, the action begins with a stage from Leeds to Manchester. The second day will see riders tackle the famous Snake Pass on the route from Manchester to Sheffield, before the UK segment concludes with a prestigious final stage in London.
Christian Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France, expressed his delight: "The UK has always welcomed the Tour with passion and pride, and the route details we are revealing today reflect the beauty and diversity of Britain's terrain. Bringing both Grand Departs here is a testament to the strength of our partnership with British Cycling and the enthusiasm of the UK."
Building a Lasting Legacy for the Sport
The return of the Tour de France Femmes, relaunched as an eight-day stage race in 2022, is seen as a pivotal moment. Its director, Marion Rousse, stated: "These stages clearly reflect the race's ambition: to continue growing women's cycling and to inspire future generations."
The announcement event at Leeds Civic Hall was attended by Prudhomme and British cycling star Lizzie Deignan. British Cycling has committed to recruiting over 7,000 volunteers for the events and will launch a major social impact programme named Joy. British Cycling Chief Executive Jon Dutton said the programme would "put opportunity, well-being and community pride right at the heart of this moment in sporting history."
The 2027 Grand Departs are the result of collaboration between race owners ASO, British Cycling, UK Sport, and the UK, Scottish, and Welsh Governments, building on a relationship that began with a stage in Plymouth in 1974.
