15/01/2026
2027 Grand Depart
UK HOST TOWNS AND CITIES CONFIRMED FOR THE 2027 TOUR DE FRANCE AND TOUR DE FRANCE FEMMES AVEC ZWIFT
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Start and finish locations announced for 2027 Grand DĂ©parts in the UK
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Full route revealed for the menâs race through Scotland, England, and Wales
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âYellow Lineâ illumination links all 10 host towns and cities across the UK
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âJoyâ social impact programme launched to tackle three core missions
The start and finish locations for the 2027 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift have been unveiled tonight, as the ten host cities and towns were illuminated simultaneously in a nationwide âTour de Skiesâ moment, marking the next major milestone on the road to the historic Grand DĂ©parts, which will be the largest free sporting spectacle in British history.
The announcement also reveals the full UK route for the menâs event, and Leeds as the start location for the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, 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.
The menâs 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 worldâs biggest annual sporting event in Cardiff.
To celebrate the moment, all 10 start and finish venues were lit up simultaneously, with a yellow beam illuminating the sky, with prominent locations providing a stunning backdrop.
Leeds Civic Hall â close to the Headrow, the start location for the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift â was transformed into a striking canvas, celebrating past British Grand DĂ©parts and revealing all six UK stages for the first time, as they wind their way across the country.
From the castles of Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Powis, to the Moot Hall in Keswick, across the iconic Liverpool waterfront and the London skyline, the coordinated yellow beams
celebrated each regionâs role in welcoming the Grand DĂ©part while uniting the UK in one national moment of anticipation ahead of 2027.
Alongside the host venues, first details of Joy, the social impact programme that will embed community impact at the heart of the 2027 Grand DĂ©part was announced, while British Cycling also confirmed that 7,000 volunteers will be recruited to support the delivery of the worldâs biggest free-to-watch sporting event.
Christian Prudhomme, Director, Tour de France (A*O):
âThe UK has always welcomed the Tour with passion and pride, and the route details we are revealing today reflect the beauty and diversity of Britainâs terrain. Bringing both Grand DĂ©parts here is a testament to the strength of our partnership with British Cycling and the enthusiasm of the UK.â
Marion Rousse, Director, Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift
âThe United Kingdom has played an important role in the history of womenâs 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 raceâs ambition: to continue growing womenâs cycling and to inspire future generations.â
Lizzie Deignan, British road and track racing world champion:
âRacing the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift has been one of the highlights of my career, and seeing the womenâs edition go from strength to strength has been genuinely inspiring. To know that both the menâs and womenâs races will start here in 2027, and especially that the women will come to my home roads of Yorkshire, is truly special. This is a huge moment for the sport and an opportunity that will inspire countless women and girls to get on their bikes.â
Stephanie Peacock, Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth:
âThese routes will reach places few other events can and give people another reason to be proud of where they live. All over the country, theyâll see world-class cyclists pass through their towns, down their high streets and maybe even right past their front doors.
âEvents 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.â
John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland:
âThe Tour de France starting in Edinburgh will be a moment of real national significance and a powerful endorsement of Scotlandâs ability to deliver on the biggest international stages. I am delighted that the historic streets of our capital and the beautiful landscapes of Scotland will be at the heart of this iconic sporting event, one that will be watched by millions of fans on the route and around the world.â
Eluned Morgan, First Minister of Wales:
âWales is proud to host a stage of the Tour de France Grand Depart for the first time in 2027, which will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase our stunning landscapes at one of the worldâs biggest sporting events. Hosting the final UK stage of the menâs race will raise Walesâ profile as a world-class destination for cyclists and other visitors, while inspiring more people to get active and deliver lasting benefits for Wales.â
Simon Morton, Director of Events, UK Sport:
âToday marks a significant milestone in the delivery of what we expect to be the biggest free-to-attend event ever to be held on these shores.
âOur 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 â providing moments of joy for millions, bringing communities together, and delivering lasting benefits beyond race day.
âWe 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, weâre bringing one of the worldâs greatest sporting events directly to peopleâs doorsteps.
We at UK Sport are delighted to be playing our part and are proud to support the partners working together to make the 2027 Grand DĂ©parts a success.â
Jon Dutton, Chief Executive, British Cycling:
"The Grand DĂ©parts in 2027 are about so much more than six unforgettable stages of racing - it's about unlocking lasting change for communities right across Britain.
âThrough Joy â our collective, game-changing social impact programme â we will put opportunity, wellbeing and community pride right at the heart of this moment in sporting history.
âBy 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.
âThis is a onceâinâaâgeneration chance to build a healthier, more active and more connected nation. It shows the power of major events when theyâre done right, and British Cycling is proud to help deliver a legacy that will be felt long after the peloton has left UK shores.â
Paul Bush, Managing Director, Grand DĂ©part GB 2027:
âRevealing these new route details of the opening stages is a huge moment for everyone involved and my thanks to all our partners. The UK has hosted unforgettable Grand DĂ©parts
before, but 2027 will be bigger than anything weâve seen â with both the menâs and womenâs pelotons starting here together for the historic very first time. This will be a âmoment for the Nationâ and is a once in a generation opportunity to inspire more people to experience the joy and freedom of cycling.â
Social impact
Alongside the route announcement, organisers also revealed Joy, the social impact programme at the heart of the 2027 Grand DĂ©part, 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, local 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.
Additionally, British Cycling will look to recruit more than 7,000 volunteers for the Grand DĂ©part, inviting people across the UK to play a hands-on role in delivering the worldâs biggest free-to-watch sporting event. 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 DĂ©parts, please visit letourgb.com
