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Great Britain to host men's Tour de France Grand Depart in Edinburgh and start of Tour de France Femmes in 2027
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Updated 19/03/2025 at 19:05 GMT
Britain will host the men's Tour de France Grand Depart once again in 2027 in what will be only the third time the race has started in the UK, it has been confirmed. The Grand Depart took place in Britain for the first time in London in 2007, while the last occasion was in Yorkshire in 2014, when the race set off in Leeds with subsequent stages concluding in Sheffield and London.
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It was officially announced on Wednesday that the 2027 Tour de France will begin in Britain.
The Grand Depart is a very significant moment in the cycling calendar and will be staged in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh in two years' time.
Florence, Italy was the host for last year's Grand Depart, with the 2026 Tour de France set to start in Barcelona, Spain.
And now, the sport's most prestigious race is returning to the UK for the first time since 2014, when it kicked off in Yorkshire.
"Britain has always welcomed the Tour with enthusiasm and pride," said Christian Prudhomme, general director for the Tour de France.
"This collaboration across England, Scotland, and Wales promises to make the event even more special."
The race has been partly staged in the UK on four previous occasions.
Before 2014, it had also headed to these shores in 2007, 1994 and 1974.
And it will break new ground in 2027, when the Tour de France Femmes will also start in Britain.
It will be the first time the two races have "begun their journey on the same foreign land."
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The men's race will get underway on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, while the rest of the route will be announced in the autumn, though it has been confirmed that the event will also go through parts of Wales and England.
British Cycling said in a statement that the Grand Depart will be "the largest free sporting spectacle in British history," as they predict that "millions" will line the streets to catch a glimpse of the action.
"It is a tremendous honour to welcome the Tour de France to Scotland," said Scotland's first minister, John Swinney.
"We know it is one of the most iconic and inspiring contests in sport, and that Scotland provides the perfect stage for major events.
"Hosting the Tour promises to be a unique opportunity to showcase our country to its many fans around the world as part of a timeline of incredible sporting events in Scotland from 2026 to 2028."
Scottish Cycling chief executive Nick Rennie added: "It’s hard to underestimate the scale of today’s announcement and the impact it will have on cycling in Scotland.
"For the Tour de France to not only visit, but start in Scotland, is a huge milestone, not only for cycling but for sport in Scotland, so a huge thank you and congratulations to everyone who has played a role in making this a reality."
"Over the last decade Scotland has continued to build a reputation as an outstanding major event host, with the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships further enhancing this.
"What that event 18 months ago did was raise people’s awareness of the different types of cycling available, and that cycling is truly for everyone.
"With the Commonwealth Games returning to Glasgow next summer, and the Tour de France Grand Depart taking place in Edinburgh 12 months later, we really are in a golden era for cycling in Scotland.
"It goes without saying that Scottish Cycling will be doing everything it can to use these iconic moments to get more people on bikes, enjoying our great sport."
Meanwhile, culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, said: "The opportunity to host the Grand Departs of both the Men's and Women’s Tour de France will cement Britain's reputation as a destination for major international sporting events.
"This will stimulate growth, attract new visitors and leave a lasting legacy for athletes and fans alike.
"Staging the Tour de France Femmes in Britain for the first time will also 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."
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