The UK’s host towns and cities for the 2027 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift have been officially confirmed, with organisers unveiling the start
and finish locations during a dramatic nationwide celebration on Thursday evening.
In a coordinated moment dubbed “Tour de Skies”, ten locations across England, Scotland and Wales were illuminated simultaneously by yellow beams of light, marking a major milestone on the road to what is expected to be the largest free sporting spectacle ever staged in Britain.
The announcement confirmed the full UK route for the men’s Tour de France, as well as Leeds as the Grand Départ host for the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, which will begin on Friday 30 July 2027.
Tour de France Femmes route confirmed
The women’s race will start in Leeds, returning the city to the global cycling spotlight more than a decade after hosting the men’s Grand Départ in 2014. From West Yorkshire, the peloton will head west across the Pennines to Manchester, before turning back east through the Peak District, tackling its iconic climbs en route to Sheffield. The UK stages will conclude with a high-profile finale in London.
Leeds Civic Hall, close to the Headrow where the race will begin, was transformed into a visual centrepiece for the announcement, celebrating Britain’s previous Grand Départs and revealing the women’s UK stages for the first time.
Men’s Tour de France to start in Edinburgh
The men’s Tour de France will begin in Edinburgh on Friday 2 July 2027, launching the UK leg of the world’s biggest annual sporting event. The opening stage will run from the Scottish capital to Carlisle, before the race continues through Keswick in the Lake District and on to Liverpool.
From there, the Tour will cross into Wales, passing through Welshpool before finishing the UK stages in Cardiff, setting the scene for the race’s onward journey into continental Europe.
Iconic landmarks light up the UK
To celebrate the announcement, all ten host locations were lit up simultaneously, using landmarks as backdrops for the yellow beams that symbolise the Tour’s famous leader’s jersey.
From the castles of Edinburgh, Cardiff and Powis, to Keswick’s Moot Hall, the Liverpool waterfront and the London skyline, the displays highlighted each region’s role in welcoming the Grand Départ while creating a shared national moment of anticipation ahead of 2027.
Christian Prudhomme, Director, Tour de France (ASO): “The UK has always welcomed the Tour with passion and pride, and the route details we are revealing today reflect the beauty and diversity of Britain’s terrain. Bringing both Grand Départs here is a testament to the strength of our partnership with British Cycling and the enthusiasm of the UK.”
Marion Rousse, Director, Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift:
“The United Kingdom has played an important role in the history of women’s cycling, with champions such as Lizzie Armitstead-Deignan. Starting the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in Leeds is a strong choice, closely linked to this heritage and to the enthusiasm of a public that knows and loves the Tour. These stages clearly reflect the race’s ambition: to continue growing women’s cycling and to inspire future generations.”
Lizzie Deignan, British road and track racing world champion:
“Racing the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift has been one of the highlights of my career, and seeing the women’s edition go from strength to strength has been genuinely inspiring. To know that both the men’s and women’s races will start here in 2027, and especially that the women will come to my home roads of Yorkshire, is truly special. This is a huge moment for the sport and an opportunity that will inspire countless women and girls to get on their bikes.”
Stephanie Peacock, Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth:
“These routes will reach places few other events can and give people another reason to be proud of where they live. All over the country, they’ll see world-class cyclists pass through their towns, down their high streets and maybe even right past their front doors.
“Events like the Tour de France bring communities together, boost local economies and inspire more people to discover the benefits of sport. We cannot wait to welcome these iconic races next year.”
John Swinney, First Minister of Scotland:
“The Tour de France starting in Edinburgh will be a moment of real national significance and a powerful endorsement of Scotland’s ability to deliver on the biggest international stages. I am delighted that the historic streets of our capital and the beautiful landscapes of Scotland will be at the heart of this iconic sporting event, one that will be watched by millions of fans on the route and around the world.”
Eluned Morgan, First Minister of Wales:
“Wales is proud to host a stage of the Tour de France Grand Depart for the first time in 2027, which will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase our stunning landscapes at one of the world’s biggest sporting events. Hosting the final UK stage of the men’s race will raise Wales’ profile as a world-class destination for cyclists and other visitors, while inspiring more people to get active and deliver lasting benefits for Wales.”
Simon Morton, Director of Events, UK Sport:
“Today marks a significant milestone in the delivery of what we expect to be the biggest free-to-attend event ever to be held on these shores.
“Our vision was to host a massive sporting event that would genuinely thread together the countries, cities, and communities of Great Britain, and show what we can achieve when we work together. The route details announced today do just that, enabling us to reach, unite, and inspire people right across the country – providing moments of joy for millions, bringing communities together, and delivering lasting benefits beyond race day.
“We believe that live sport is a fundamental part of our society, and that the British public should be able to access and attend big events. By hosting the initial stages of both the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, we’re bringing one of the world’s greatest sporting events directly to people’s doorsteps.
We at UK Sport are delighted to be playing our part and are proud to support the partners working together to make the 2027 Grand Départs a success.”
Jon Dutton, Chief Executive, British Cycling:
"The Grand Départs in 2027 are about so much more than six unforgettable stages of racing - it's about unlocking lasting change for communities right across Britain.
“Through Joy – our collective, game-changing social impact programme – we will put opportunity, wellbeing and community pride right at the heart of this moment in sporting history.
“By working with partners and creating new, varied ways for people to connect with cycling - whether by riding, volunteering, supporting locally, or engaging through culture and community activity - we can break down barriers and open the sport up in ways that meet people where they are.
“This is a once‑in‑a‑generation chance to build a healthier, more active and more connected nation. It shows the power of major events when they’re done right, and British Cycling is proud to help deliver a legacy that will be felt long after the peloton has left UK shores.”
Paul Bush, Managing Director, Grand Départ GB 2027:
“Revealing these new route details of the opening stages is a huge moment for everyone involved and my thanks to all our partners. The UK has hosted unforgettable Grand Départs before, but 2027 will be bigger than anything we’ve seen – with both the men’s and women’s pelotons starting here together for the historic very first time. This will be a “moment for the Nation” and is a once in a generation opportunity to inspire more people to experience the joy and freedom of cycling.”
Community impact and volunteers at the heart of 2027 plans
Alongside the route details, organisers also launched 'Joy', a new social impact programme designed to place communities at the heart of the 2027 Grand Départ.
The initiative will focus on tackling inactivity, improving mental wellbeing and helping communities thrive. Six core programmes will be rolled out across the home nations, working with governments, local authorities and community partners to support young people, break down barriers for girls in sport and showcase Britain’s diverse local cultures.
British Cycling also confirmed plans to recruit more than 7,000 volunteers to help deliver the event. Roles will be available across route operations, spectator support and community engagement, giving people of all ages the chance to be part of Tour history. Further details are expected when the volunteer programme launches in spring.
More information and updates on the 2027 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Grand Départs are available at letourgb.com. Photo by filip bossuyt from Kortrijk, Belgium, Wikimedia commons.