Tour de France 2027 Grand Départ in Britain?

The men’s and women’s Tours de France could both start in Britain in 2027.

Men’s Tour de France 2027

The BBC reports that Edinburgh is under consideration for the Grand Départ 2027.

It says that UK Sport is in negotiations with Tour de France organisers ASO. UK Sport said:

‘We have made no secret of our ambition to host the Tour de France Grand Départ in Britain – to inspire more people to enjoy cycling and bring lasting benefits to communities.

However, we respect this is a matter for the ASO and we remain committed to working hard to develop opportunities that can bring the joy of cycling to everyone’.

Road.cc says that Stage 1 would be in Edinburgh.

According to their article, the Welsh government has set aside funding for a stage too. The Tour de France in Wales would be one element of a cycling agenda for the Principality, which would also include other events and cycling infrastructure.

There would be a stage in England too, with Leeds pencilled in for a start or finish.

Tour de France Femmes 2027

Leeds is also likely to host the opening stage of the Tour de France Femmes 2027.

The eight-day women’s event has been held every year since 2022.

Leeds Central and Headingley MP Alex Sobel told the Yorkshire Post that Leeds ‘is in a strong position to host the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes in 2027’.

The newspaper also mentions that British Cycling CEO Jon Dutton spoke about the possibility in 2024:

‘We are supporting UK Sport and partners to see whether it is feasible to bring the Tour de France Grand Départ here for both the men and the women.

Events are expensive, we’ve got to make a business case back to the government that it delivers more than those amazing moments’.

Dutton added that hosting the race would be ‘definitely within our means’.