- The world’s biggest bike race will start in the UK for the third time in 2027
- London had hosted the Grand Depart in 2007, followed by Yorkshire in 2014
- The UK will host the start of the Tour de France Femmes – the women’s race
The Tour de France will return to Britain in 2027, with Edinburgh chosen to host the Grand Depart.
The Scottish capital will hold the first of three UK stages of the world’s biggest bike race, which is starting on these shores for a third time following the events in London in 2007 and Yorkshire in 2014.
In what is described as the ‘largest free sporting spectacle in British history’, the UK will also host the beginning of the Tour de France Femmes – the women’s race – later in the same summer. Yorkshire is expected to be selected for the first of its three UK stages.
It is the first time both the men’s and women’s races have started in the same country outside of France.
The locations of all the UK stages will not be confirmed until the autumn, but the Lake District, Manchester and Cardiff are expected to feature in the men’s race.
Sir Mark Cavendish, who retired last year after breaking the record for most Tour de France stage wins, was in Edinburgh for Wednesday’s historic announcement.
The Tour de France returns to Britain in 2027 – the third time the race starts on these shores
Edinburgh will host the Grand Depart with riders promised to also go into England and Wales
The UK will also host the start of the Tour de France Femmes, the women’s version of the race
‘I don’t think we can comprehend what the start of the Tour de France is going to be like here,’ said the British cycling legend. ‘It’s going to be bigger than we can ever imagine. It’s really quite exciting.’
Bid chair Paul Bush added: ‘You have got the World Cup and the Olympic Games, not far behind that now is the Tour de France.
‘It is that big and over the next couple of years people will understand how big it is. This will be the largest ever free sporting event to come to the British Isles. That is pretty special.’
Tour de France boss Christian Prudhomme also said he wants the UK stages of the 2027 Tour de France to be shown on free-to-air TV.
ITV recently lost the rights for the Tour, with TNT Sports taking over exclusive coverage of the race from next year.
But Prudhomme said: ‘I do hope and I do believe the UK stages will be live and free to air in 2027. There will be discussions. We are optimistic.’
Asked why Edinburgh was chosen for the Grand Depart, he said: ‘It is a magical city. In the Tour de France, what is very important is the helicopter shots. Edinburgh and Scotland will offer a magnificent backdrop to the tour.
‘The Tour de France is the only sports event that is also made for people who don’t like sport, because it’s geography, culture, pride. All these things are here in the British bid.’
The UK last hosted the Tour de France in 2014 – when Yorkshire hosted the Grand Depart
The UK Government and Scottish Government will help fund the 2027 spectacle, alongside the private sector. The Grand Depart in 2014 was estimated to have boosted the UK economy by £130million, with millions of spectators lining the streets.
‘This will stimulate growth, attract new visitors and leave a lasting legacy for athletes and fans alike,’ said culture secretary Lisa Nandy.
‘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.’
British Cycling chief executive Jon Dutton said he hopes to involve Edinburgh-born cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy, who has stage four prostate cancer, in the build-up to the event.
‘It is an exciting moment for cycling in the UK,’ he added. ‘We believe it has the potential to inspire more people to discover the joy and benefits of cycling.
‘This is not just about the race – it’s about creating a national moment that encourages healthier lifestyles, supports cycle tourism, and brings communities together.’
