One of the most popular sport event, the Tour de France, is coming in 2027 to the UK. The full UK routes for the 2027 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift have been unveiled earlier this year, confirming the host cities.
It will be a major milestone ahead of what organizers say will be the largest free sporting event ever staged in Britain.
The announcement revealed the six British stages that will welcome both the men’s and women’s races as they begin on UK soil for the first time in the same year.
The men’s Tour de France will start in Edinburgh on July 2, 2027, before heading south through Scotland, northern England and Wales. The opening stage will run from Edinburgh to Carlisle, followed by a route through Keswick, Liverpool and Welshpool before concluding the UK leg in Cardiff.
The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will begin in Leeds on July 30, 2027. Riders will travel across the Pennines to Manchester before returning east via the challenging climbs of the Peak District and Sheffield. The British stages will conclude with a showcase finish in London.
Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme said the UK has consistently welcomed the race with enthusiasm and that the newly announced routes showcase the variety and beauty of Britain’s landscapes.
Marion Rousse, Director of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, said Leeds was a fitting starting point for the women’s race, reflecting Britain’s strong cycling heritage and growing support for women’s cycling.
Former world champion Lizzie Deignan welcomed the decision to bring the women’s race to her home region of Yorkshire, describing it as a significant opportunity to inspire future generations of female cyclists.
Tourism and Economic Benefits
Government leaders across the UK highlighted the potential tourism and economic impact of hosting the races.
UK Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock said the routes would bring world-class cycling directly into communities across the country, helping boost local economies while encouraging greater participation in sport.
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney described the Edinburgh start as a moment of national significance that would showcase Scotland to a global audience. Wales’ First Minister Eluned Morgan said hosting the final UK stage of the men’s race would strengthen Wales’ profile as a leading destination for cycling tourism.
Organizers expect millions of spectators to line the roads, while global television audiences will see some of Britain’s most iconic cities, countryside and landmarks.
Legacy Program Unveiled
Alongside the route announcement, organizers launched JOY, a nationwide social impact initiative designed to create lasting benefits beyond race day.
The program will focus on increasing physical activity, improving mental wellbeing, supporting community development and creating opportunities for young people. Six core initiatives will be delivered across England, Scotland and Wales in partnership with governments, local authorities and community organizations.
A key element of the legacy effort will be volunteer recruitment. British Cycling plans to enlist more than 7,000 volunteers to support race operations, spectator services and community engagement activities. The volunteer program will open in spring 2027.
For British Cycling Chief Executive Jon Dutton, the Grand Départs represent far more than elite sporting competition. It indeed offers a unique opportunity to make cycling more accessible and strengthen communities across Britain.
Paul Bush, Managing Director of Grand Départ GB 2027, said the event would be unlike anything previously hosted in the UK, bringing both the men’s and women’s pelotons to British roads in the same year for the first time.
Attention now turns to 2027, when Britain will once again take center stage in world cycling.
