The short version
- The 2027 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes will both begin in the United Kingdom, marking a historic first for simultaneous grand departs outside France.
- Routes span multiple nations, including a northernmost start at Edinburgh Castle for the men and a team time trial through central London for the women.
- British officials have committed £32 million to support the events, aiming to create lasting infrastructure benefits beyond the three-week racing period.
The organizers of the Tour de France have confirmed that both the men's and women's editions of the race will launch from the United Kingdom in 2027. This arrangement represents a significant departure from tradition, as it is the first time the two premier cycling events have started in the same country outside of France within the same calendar year. The announcement was made during a ceremony at the Palais de Congres in Paris, where officials revealed the specific street-by-street itineraries for the six British-based stages that will open each competition.
The men's race begins on July 2 with a 184-kilometer stage traveling south from Edinburgh to Carlisle. This opening leg features a notable climb known as the Cote de Melrose, located near the hometown of Scottish rider Oscar Onley. The route continues with a demanding 223-kilometer second stage from Keswick in the Lake District to Liverpool, which includes five categorized climbs and nearly 2,800 meters of elevation gain. The final UK-based stage for the men takes place on July 4, covering 223 kilometers from Welshpool to Cardiff, Wales, with eight hills totaling approximately 3,000 meters of climbing.
The women's event, known as the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, commences later in the summer on July 30. Its opening stage covers 85.7 kilometers from Leeds to Manchester, incorporating three climbs including the steep Cote de Meltham. The second leg travels 154.4 kilometers from Manchester to Sheffield, traversing the Peak District and featuring Winnats Pass, a short but severe gradient averaging 12.3 percent. The UK portion of the women's race concludes with an 18-kilometer team time trial through central London, passing landmarks such as Trafalgar Square and Tower Bridge before finishing on The Mall.
Christian Prudhomme, director of the men's race, emphasized the symbolic connection between the two events sharing this starting location. He noted that the journey begins at the foot of Edinburgh Castle, which marks the northernmost start in the history of the Tour de France. Prudhomme suggested that hosting both races in Great Britain serves to tie the competitions together more closely, anticipating a substantial welcome from local fans. The logistical coordination required for such a dual launch highlights an effort by ASO, the race organizer, to expand the global footprint and prestige of both tours simultaneously.
British officials have framed the event as a major economic and cultural opportunity. Paul Bush, managing director of Grand Depart GB 2027, described the moment as historic, noting that the selected routes showcase the diverse landscapes of Scotland, England, and Wales. Stephanie Peacock, the UK Sports Minister, highlighted a government investment of £32 million intended to fund the races and ensure lasting legacy benefits for the public. This funding aims to extend the positive impact of the event well beyond the final day of racing, potentially improving local infrastructure and community facilities in the host regions.
The prospect of racing on home soil has generated enthusiasm among British cyclists. Oscar Onley, a rider for Netcompany Ineos who finished fourth in the 2025 Tour de France, attended the Paris announcement and expressed excitement about competing in front of friends and family. He described the opportunity as once-in-a-lifetime and indicated that he is already planning his strategy to target stages that suit his strengths. Onley's comments reflect a broader ambition among British riders to leverage the home advantage in pursuit of stage victories or overall classification success.
Historical context suggests strong public interest in cycling events held in the UK. When the Tour de France last visited Britain in 2014, more than 2.5 million fans lined the streets of Yorkshire for just two stages of the men's race. Previous visits occurred in 1974, 1994, and 2007, primarily centered around London. The scale of the 2027 event, which spans three nations and includes both genders, is expected to draw even larger crowds. Organizers anticipate that the unique nature of this Super Grand Depart will generate significant media attention and spectator engagement across the region.
As the 2027 dates approach, attention will likely shift toward how local communities prepare for the influx of visitors and riders. The detailed route releases allow fans to plan their viewing experiences, with interactive tools provided to show proximity to specific streets. For competitors, the varied terrain offers a mix of flat sections, steep climbs, and technical city circuits that will test different skill sets. The success of this dual launch could set a precedent for future international grand departs, potentially encouraging other nations to bid for similar multi-event hosting rights.
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- BBC Sport↗Tour de France UK stages in detail - where can you watch?
