Britain will host the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in 2027 – the first time both the men and women’s races have taken place in the same country, outside France, reports BritPanorama.
Organisers note that the joint UK Grand Départs are a significant milestone for cycling, showcasing both Tours on one of the world’s greatest sporting stages. With millions of spectators expected, this event is poised to be the largest free-to-watch sporting spectacle in British history.
The start and finish locations for the 2027 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift were unveiled in Leeds, with 10 host cities illuminated during a nationwide ‘Tour de Skies’ display. The men’s Tour will commence in Edinburgh on Friday, 2 July 2027, leading to Carlisle, and then move through Keswick, Liverpool, and Welshpool, concluding the UK leg in Cardiff. The women’s race will start in Leeds on Friday, 30 July 2027, moving to Manchester and Sheffield, and finishing with a final stage in London.
Notably, this event is set against a backdrop of community engagement, with Britain’s cycling legacy expected to inspire national participation. Paul Bush, Managing Director of Grand Départ GB 2027, remarked that the 2027 edition will be “bigger than anything we’ve seen” and is a unique opportunity to inspire the nation through sport. He anticipates that the event will attract 10 to 15 million people to the streets, significantly boosting local economies and enhancing social cohesion.
Christian Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France, echoed this sentiment, praising the UK’s enthusiasm for the event. The revealed routes reflect the diverse beauty of Britain’s landscape. Additionally, a social impact programme named Joy will focus on community engagement, aiming to improve mental well-being and create opportunities across the ages. Jon Dutton, Chief Executive of British Cycling, emphasized the lasting change the Grand Départs can bring to communities.
With the peloton set to traverse iconic locations in Britain, including the National Parks of the Lake District, Peak District, and Bannau Brycheiniog, the events promise to highlight the nation’s scenic diversity while embedding cycling into the cultural fabric of local communities.
For many, this event will not only be a thrilling spectacle but a chance to witness the transformative power of sport. With anticipation growing, the Grand Départ in 2027 stands as a reminder of cycling’s ability to unite and inspire.
