Britain to host both men's and women's Tour de France for first time in history

With millions of spectators expected, it is set to be the largest free-to-watch sporting spectacle in British history.

It is hoped that hosting both Tours will inspire national participation, building on Britain’s proud legacy of cycling success and innovation.

The start and finish locations for the 2027 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift were unveiled in Leeds this evening, as the 10 host cities and towns were illuminated simultaneously in a nationwide ‘Tour de Skies’ moment, marking the next major milestone on the road to the historic Grand Départs.

The men’s Tour de France will begin in Edinburgh on Friday 2 July 2027, with an opening stage heading to Carlisle, before visiting Keswick, Liverpool and Welshpool, finishing the UK leg of the world’s biggest annual sporting event in Cardiff.

Alongside the host venues, first details of Joy, the social impact programme that will embed community impact at the heart of the 2027 Grand Départ was announced, while British Cycling also confirmed that 7,000 volunteers will be recruited.

Paul Bush, Managing Director, Grand Départ GB 2027, told GB News that the event will be a “moment for the Nation”.

“The UK has hosted unforgettable Grand Départs before, but 2027 will be bigger than anything we’ve seen, with both the men’s and women’s pelotons starting here together for the historic very first time,” he said.

“This will be a ‘moment for the Nation’ and is a once in a generation opportunity to inspire more people to experience the joy and freedom of cycling.

“This is the third biggest sporting event in the world, it’s free to watch and we are going to bring joy to communities and societies across the length and breadth of the UK and that will be very special for our nation.

"We expect 10 to 15 million people on the streets [spectating] and it's going to bring joy to communities, which is really important.

"It's an opportunity for people to engage in something that they might never see again because the Tour has been here in 2014, so it's been 13 years since.

"2014 brought £131m of direct economic impact to the Yorkshire region, so we've got twice as many stages so we anticipate it will be significantly greater than that, but it's not just about the economic impact, it's about the social impact and the community."

Christian Prudhomme, Director, Tour de France (ASO), said that the UK has always welcomed the Tour with passion and pride, and the route details revealed today reflect the beauty and diversity of Britain’s terrain.

“Bringing both Grand Départs here is a testament to the strength of our partnership with British Cycling and the enthusiasm of the UK," he added.

The women’s Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will begin in Leeds on Friday 30 July 2027, before crossing the Pennines to Manchester, then returning to Sheffield via the climbs of the Peak District before concluding with a showpiece stage in London.

Marion Rousse, Director, Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, said: “The United Kingdom has played an important role in the history of women’s cycling, with champions such as Lizzie Armitstead-Deignan.

“Starting the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in Leeds is a strong choice, closely linked to this heritage and to the enthusiasm of a public that knows and loves the Tour.

"These stages clearly reflect the race’s ambition - to continue growing women’s cycling and to inspire future generations.”

Lizzie Deignan, MBE is a British road and track racing world champion and racing the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift has been one of the highlights of her career.

She told GB News that seeing the women’s edition go from strength to strength has been inspiring.

“To know that both the men’s and women’s races will start here in 2027, and especially that the women will come to my home roads of Yorkshire, is truly special,” said Lizzie.

"I'm from Leeds and I've been part of the cycling community for a long time - I was here in 2014 when the men got to start here and felt really jealous so I'm really excited that the next generation of women get to experience it. I hope there is a real legacy from this.

"We've got a really diverse landscape in Britain for cycling and British fans really get behind sporting events and it doesn't matter whether it's cycling or cricket, rugby, whatever, it just brings people together.

"There's something magic about the Tour de France, it's almost like a carnival atmosphere because it goes for an hour past your door and everyone's out enjoying it and there's a real buzz about it."

Stephanie Peacock, Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth said that the tour routes will reach places few other events can and give people another reason to be proud of where they live.

“All over the country, they’ll see world-class cyclists pass through their towns, down their high streets and maybe even right past their front doors,” she said.

“Events like the Tour de France bring communities together, boost local economies and inspire more people to discover the benefits of sport. We cannot wait to welcome these iconic races next year.”

Simon Morton, Director of Events, UK Sport, said that the event is expected to be the biggest free to-attend event ever to be held on these shores.

“Our vision was to host a massive sporting event that would genuinely thread together the countries, cities, and communities of Great Britain, and show what we can achieve when we work together.

“The route details announced today do just that, enabling us to reach, unite, and inspire people right across the country, providing moments of joy for millions, bringing communities together, and delivering lasting benefits beyond race day.

“We believe that live sport is a fundamental part of our society, and that the British public should be able to access and attend big events.

"By hosting the initial stages of both the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, we’re bringing one of the world’s greatest sporting events directly to people’s doorsteps.”

Alongside the route announcement, organisers also revealed Joy, the social impact programme at the heart of the 2027 Grand Départ, that aims to tackle inactivity and improve mental wellbeing, support communities to thrive, and to make Britain more productive and prosperous.

Six core programmes will be rolled out across the home nations, with organisers working collaboratively with governments, councils, core delivery partners and community representatives to create opportunities for young people to develop their skills, break down barriers for girls in sport, and to showcase community culture through the voices of Britain.

Jon Dutton, Chief Executive of British Cycling said: "The Grand Départs in 2027 are about so much more than six unforgettable stages of racing - it's about unlocking lasting change for communities right across Britain.

“Through Joy, our collective, game-changing social impact programme, we will put opportunity, wellbeing and community pride right at the heart of this moment in sporting history.

“By working with partners and creating new, varied ways for people to connect with cycling - whether by riding, volunteering, supporting locally, or engaging through culture and community activity - we can break down barriers and open the sport up in ways that meet people where they are.

“This is a once‑in‑a‑generation chance to build a healthier, more active and more connected nation.

"It shows the power of major events when they’re done right, and British Cycling is proud to help deliver a legacy that will be felt long after the peloton has left UK shores.”

Additionally, thousands of opportunities will be available across route operations, spectator support and community engagement, offering people of all ages the chance to be part of Tour history, with more details to be announced when the programme is launched in the spring.

To find out more information and keep up-to-date with the 2027 Grand Départs, visit letourgb.com

FULL ROUTE REVEAL:

The newly revealed routes take the peloton through some of the most spectacular and culturally significant landscapes in England, Scotland and Wales, including the National Parks of the Lake District, Peak District, and Bannau Brycheiniog, showcasing the very best of Britain to millions of fans watching at the roadside and around the world.

Men’s Tour de France route:

• Friday July 2 | stage one: Edinburgh to Carlisle

• Saturday July 3 | stage two: Keswick to Liverpool

• Sunday July 4 | stage three: Welshpool to Cardiff Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift route

• Friday July 30 | stage one: Leeds to Manchester

• Saturday July 31 | stage two: Manchester to Sheffield

• Sunday August 1 | stage three: London