The Tour de France 2027 will begin on British roads in a landmark moment for global cycling, after organisers confirmed that both the men’s and women’s races will start in the United Kingdom. Six stages across Scotland, England and Wales will form the opening chapters of the world’s most prestigious cycling event, marking the first time that the two Tours have launched from the same foreign nation.
Race organisers revealed the plans in January, confirming that the men’s race will start in Edinburgh before travelling south, while the women’s Tour de France Femmes will open later in the month in northern England. The decision represents the most ambitious return of the Tour to the UK since Yorkshire hosted the Grand Départ in 2014 and London welcomed the race in 2007.
Edinburgh chosen for men’s Grand Départ
The men’s Tour de France will begin in Edinburgh on 2 July 2027, making Scotland the first nation outside France to host a Tour Grand Départ. The opening stage will take riders south towards Carlisle, before subsequent stages pass through the Lake District, finish in Liverpool, and then cross into Wales, concluding the UK section in Cardiff.
Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France, said the UK route reflects both sporting ambition and public enthusiasm. British crowds have historically drawn some of the largest roadside attendances in Tour history, with organisers keen to replicate that atmosphere across multiple nations.
The Scottish capital was selected following years of discussions between race organisers, UK sporting bodies and local authorities. Edinburgh’s international profile, transport infrastructure and experience hosting major cultural events were cited as key factors behind the decision.
Women’s Tour to start in Leeds and finish in London
Later in July, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will begin in Leeds, underlining the city’s strong links to elite and grassroots cycling. From there, riders will cross the Pennines to Manchester, tackle the Snake Pass en route to Sheffield, before the UK stages conclude with a high-profile finish in London.
Marion Rousse, director of the women’s Tour, described the UK start as a recognition of Britain’s contribution to the growth of women’s cycling. Since the women’s race was relaunched in 2022, organisers have prioritised visibility and parity, with the 2027 start seen as a further step in that direction.
British Cycling officials have said hosting the women’s Grand Départ is expected to inspire increased participation among girls and young women, building on recent growth in competitive and recreational cycling.
A proven appetite for the Tour in Britain
The return of the Tour follows the success of previous UK starts. In 2014, an estimated 2.6 million spectators lined the roads in Yorkshire over two days, while independent studies later calculated an economic boost of around £100 million to the regional economy. Television audiences also surged, with UK viewership figures reaching their highest levels in more than a decade during that edition.
Organisers believe the 2027 event could surpass those numbers. British Cycling has projected that up to 10 million people may attend roadside events across the six UK stages, reflecting the expanded geographic reach and the inclusion of both Tours.
The UK’s enduring fascination with the race has been fuelled by past British success, including Tour victories and stage wins over the past two decades, as well as increased coverage on free-to-air and subscription broadcasters.
Economic and regional impact across three nations
Hosting the Tour across Scotland, England and Wales carries both symbolic and practical significance. It marks one of the most geographically diverse starts in Tour history and spreads the economic benefits beyond a single region.
Local authorities in Edinburgh, Liverpool and Cardiff have all highlighted tourism as a central benefit, with international visitors expected to arrive days in advance. Hotels, restaurants and transport operators typically experience strong demand during Tour weeks, while global television exposure provides long-term promotional value.
Wales’s inclusion, in particular, has been welcomed by organisers keen to showcase varied terrain and landscapes. The Welsh stages are expected to feature punchy climbs and technical routes that could influence early general classification battles.
Legacy plans and participation goals
Beyond the race itself, British Cycling has positioned the Tour de France 2027 as a catalyst for long-term participation. Building on legacy programmes introduced after 2014, governing bodies plan to expand community cycling initiatives, school engagement schemes and volunteer programmes in the run-up to the event.
According to British Cycling data, regular cycling participation in Yorkshire rose measurably in the years following the 2014 Grand Départ, with similar outcomes anticipated in Scotland and Wales. Officials believe the visibility of both men’s and women’s races will strengthen those effects.
UK Sport has also emphasised the Tour’s role in supporting public health objectives, particularly in encouraging active travel and recreational cycling in urban areas.
Logistical challenge behind the spectacle
Delivering six Tour stages across multiple nations presents a significant logistical operation. Thousands of volunteers will be required, alongside coordination between police forces, local councils, transport agencies and emergency services.
Race organisers have stressed that detailed route maps, stage profiles and road closure plans will be published closer to the event to allow communities and businesses to prepare. Security and crowd management will follow protocols refined during previous UK starts and major international sporting events.
Despite the complexity, officials involved in the planning say the UK’s experience hosting large-scale events, from the London 2012 Olympics to annual mass-participation races, places it in a strong position.
A global spotlight on British roads
The full route of the Tour de France beyond the UK stages will be announced later in 2026, with the race eventually returning to France for its traditional conclusion in Paris. However, the opening days in Britain are expected to dominate global coverage.
For cycling fans, the 2027 Tour represents a rare opportunity to witness the sport’s biggest stars on home roads. For organisers and public bodies, it is a chance to combine elite sport with lasting social and economic impact.
As preparations continue, the confirmation of the UK double Grand Départ has already positioned the Tour de France 2027 as one of the most significant sporting events ever staged across Britain.
