The UK will host the Grand Depart for both the men’s and women’s Tour de France in 2027.
This marks a historic moment, as it will be the first time both prestigious races have started in the same nation outside of France in the same year.
Edinburgh has been selected to host the start of the men’s race, with Scotland, Wales, and England each hosting a stage for both the men’s and women’s events.
The specific route details and the location of the Grand Depart for the women’s race are expected to be unveiled in the autumn.
This will be the fifth time the men’s Tour de France has included stages in Britain, following previous visits in 1974, 1994, 2007, and 2014. The 2014 edition drew an estimated 4.8 million spectators to the roadside across its three English stages, highlighting the immense popularity of the event.
Scotland also has a strong track record of hosting major cycling events, having successfully staged the inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships in 2023, which attracted around one million spectators over its 11-day duration.
Organizers are emphasizing the wide-ranging benefits of hosting the Tour de France, predicting it will “deliver long-lasting benefits for thousands of people by tackling inactivity, improving mental wellbeing, boosting economic growth and supporting communities to thrive.”
They also believe the event will “inspire a new generation of cycling fans and riders while boosting cycle tourism.”
The UK, Scottish, and Welsh governments, along with British Cycling and UK Sport, have played crucial roles in securing the event.
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney expressed his delight, stating, “It is a tremendous honour to welcome the Tour de France to Scotland. We know it is one of the most iconic and inspiring contests in sport, and that Scotland provides the perfect stage for major events.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significance of hosting the women’s race.
“Staging the Tour de France Femmes for the first time will be an historic occasion and inspire the next generation of female cyclists while supporting our mission of breaking down barriers for women and girls to get more involved in sport,” she said.
The men’s Tour de France, first held in 1903, has seen three British riders claim the coveted yellow jersey: Bradley Wiggins (2012), Chris Froome (2013, 2015, 2016, 2017), and Geraint Thomas (2018). The Tour de France Femmes was launched more recently, in 2022.
Looking ahead to the immediate future, the 2025 men’s Tour de France will commence in Florence, Italy, while the 2026 edition will start in Barcelona, Spain. The 2024 women’s race broke new ground with its first Grand Depart outside of France, taking place in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Christian Prudhomme, the general director of the men’s Tour de France, praised Edinburgh as a “magical city,” noting the visual appeal it will offer to the race. “In the Tour de France, what is very important is the helicopter shots. So Edinburgh and Scotland will offer a magnificent backdrop,” he commented.
