The 2027 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will kick off in the UK, marking a historic return for the men’s race and a first for the women’s event, it was confirmed on Wednesday.
The men’s Tour de France will feature its first three stages in Britain, with confirmed stages in Scotland, England, and Wales. This marks the first time since 2014 that the Tour has visited the UK, when Yorkshire hosted the Grand Départ. It will be the third occasion the Tour has started in Britain, following the 2007 start in London and a two-stage visit to England in 1994. In 1974, Plymouth also welcomed the race.
The 2027 event will also be the debut for the Tour de France Femmes in the UK, with three stages planned, though further details will be released later this year.
Although the complete route covering England, Wales, and Scotland has been confirmed, only Edinburgh’s role as the host city for the men’s first stage has been officially disclosed. The announcement was made in Edinburgh following discussions between race organisers ASO, British Cycling, and UK Sport. Initially, the UK was slated to host the 2026 Grand Départ, but the bid was later postponed.
Paul Bush, chair of the UK bid committee, reflected on the long journey to secure the event. “My first conversation with Christian [Prudhomme, Tour de France director] and his team was in 2007, so it’s taken 18 years to come to fruition,” he said. “It has been about building trust, and in 2027, we aim to create the grandest Grand Départ yet. Edinburgh, with its incredible backdrop, will play a key role in what we expect to be the largest free sporting event ever held in Britain.”
Prudhomme echoed Bush’s sentiments, praising Edinburgh and Scotland’s scenic beauty. “Scotland will offer a fantastic setting for the Tour de France,” he said. “The Tour appeals even to those who are not typically fans of sports, thanks to its rich geography and culture.”
The 2014 Grand Départ in Yorkshire left a lasting impression, with thousands of spectators lining the route, creating a “wall of people” that added to the atmosphere. “It was a corridor of noise for the riders, and they could barely hear anything over the crowd’s energy,” Prudhomme recalled.
Jon Dutton, CEO of British Cycling, expressed excitement about hosting both the men’s and women’s races together. “It’s an opportunity to inspire a new generation to embrace cycling and healthier lifestyles,” he said. “This event is not just about the race; it’s about uniting communities, promoting cycle tourism, and generating nationwide enthusiasm for the sport.”
Foreign Grand Départs have become a popular trend, as cities with the financial backing to host the event vie for the opportunity. Recent Grand Départs took place in Florence, Italy, in 2022 and Spain in 2023, with Barcelona set to host the 2024 race.
The 2014 Yorkshire Grand Départ cost around £27 million, exceeding its budget and requiring additional government funding. With 2027’s event expected to be larger, the cost of the opening three stages could exceed this figure. However, Esther Britten, head of events at UK Sport, remained tight-lipped on the budget, though she confirmed the funds would come from UK, Scottish, and Welsh governments, as well as the private sector.
Reflecting on the impact of previous events, Britten highlighted the lasting benefits. “The 2014 Grand Départ and the Glasgow World Championships in 2023 attracted millions of spectators,” she said. “The return on investment, particularly in terms of social change and community cohesion, is unparalleled. Our goal is to minimize the public funding required while delivering a significant national event.”
The 2014 Grand Départ attracted a record 4.8 million spectators, with 3.5 million people attending as individual viewers, demonstrating the massive appeal of the event to British fans.
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