Tour de France comes to Wales in 2027

The 114th edition of the Tour de France and the 6th edition of the Tour de France Femmes will get the show on the road with a British trilogy in 2027.

The Tour say, “The Grande Boucle, which has already touched English soil four times since 1974, is set to broaden its horizons with an adventure that will get under way in Scotland. The field will spring into action in Edinburgh and visit Wales before returning to England, for a total of three nations in one same Grand Départ.

“It will be the second start of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift outside French borders —following the Grand Départ in the Netherlands in 2024— and its first on the other side of the Channel.

“The Tour de France made landfall in England for the first time in 1974. It was a blink-and-you-miss-it appearance consisting of a single stage held on a circuit in Plymouth. Twenty years later, the riders of the 1994 Tour marked the recent opening of the Channel Tunnel with two stages, one ending in Brighton and the other in Portsmouth. Britain has hosted two memorable Grands Départs of the Tour de France in the 21st century, first in London in 2007 and then in Yorkshire in 2014. In summer 2027, the race will take this relationship to a whole new level, exploring three of the four Home Nations. The peloton of the Tour will make its first foray into Scotland, converging on Edinburgh for the beginning of an adventure that will also take it to Wales and England.”

The Grand Départ in Britain will be the first overseas trip of the Tour de France Femmes, which has yet to venture outside mainland Europe.

British Cycling say “The return of Tour de France to the UK is the result of an ambitious and collaborative effort from key partners, including British Cycling, UK Sport, UK Government, Scottish and Welsh Governments, and event stakeholders in a strategic win that will drive lasting benefits for the sport and everyone who rides a bike.”

First Minister of Wales, Eluned Morgan, said: “The Welsh stage of the 2027 UK Grand Depart promises to be a memorable experience for competitors and fans alike. Boasting stunning landscapes, warm and welcoming communities and an ever-growing fanbase of cycling enthusiasts, Wales will provide the ultimate challenge and a unique Welsh ‘Croeso’ for the world’s biggest cycle race.

“We will build on our successful track record of hosting road cycling events, ensuring the Tour De France has a positive and lasting impact on cycling in Wales, by showcasing Wales as a top international destination for cyclists and encouraging more people in Wales to get into cycling.”

UK 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.”

Simon Morton, Director of Events at UK Sport said: “We set out to host the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes because we believe that live sport is a fundamental part of our country’s social fabric, and that we should be hosting events that are accessible to people and communities across the country. This will be the biggest free spectator event ever hosted in the UK, offering the public front-row access to world class sport across villages, towns and cities. We can’t wait to share more details later in the year about this truly remarkable route.”

Christian Prudhomme, General Director, Tour de France, said: “The Tour de France and the UK share a rich history, and I am delighted to bring the Grand Départ to the country in 2027. Britain has always welcomed the Tour with enthusiasm and pride, and this collaboration across England, Scotland, and Wales promises to make the event even more special.”

Top pic: Wrexham has a pedigree of hosting cycling – will we get the stage?