Tour de France organiser ASO and British Cycling have confirmed the UK host cities and routes for the 2027 men's and women's Grand Départs, marking the first time both races will start outside France in the same country.
The men's Tour de France will begin in Edinburgh on 2 July before finishing its UK leg in Cardiff, while the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift starts in Leeds on 30 July and concludes with a final stage in London. The event will span six stages across Scotland, England and Wales, doubling the number of British stages hosted in 2014.
This is the first official Tour de France visit to Scotland or Wales.
"The UK has always welcomed the Tour with passion and pride, and the route details we are revealing today reflect the beauty and diversity of Britain's terrain," Christian Prudhomme, Tour de France director, said.
Men's route: Edinburgh to Cardiff
The opening stage travels south from Edinburgh through the Scottish Borders, tackling the Côte de Melrose in the Eildon Hills before crossing into England and finishing outside Carlisle's medieval castle.
Stage two begins in Keswick in the Lake District, passing alongside Thirlmere, Grasmere and Windermere before skirting Morecambe Bay and heading to the Lancashire fells. The finish comes on The Strand in Liverpool, beneath the Three Graces.
The final UK stage for the men's race runs from Welshpool to Cardiff and includes eight categorised climbs, with six in the final 80 kilometres through the South Wales valleys. The Côte de Rhigos and Côte de Caerphilly are among the main climbs before the finish in the Welsh capital.
"The atmosphere up there is going to rival Alpe d'Huez, that's for sure," Geraint Thomas said of the Welsh climbs at the route unveiling.
Women's route: Leeds to London
The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift begins in Leeds, which hosted the 2014 men's Grand Départ. The opening stage crosses the Pennines to Manchester.
Stage two travels through the Peak District National Park to Sheffield, with the Côte de Snake Pass confirmed as a categorised climb. Full details of the London finale will be announced in spring 2027.
"Starting the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in Leeds is a strong choice, closely linked to this heritage and to the enthusiasm of a public that knows and loves the Tour," Marion Rousse, the women's race director, said.
Lizzie Deignan, who grew up in Yorkshire, described the announcement as "truly special" and said it would "inspire countless women and girls to get on their bikes".
Legacy programme and scale
Organisers have launched Joy, a social impact programme targeting inactivity, mental wellbeing and economic opportunity across host communities. British Cycling will recruit more than 7,000 volunteers to support operations and spectator engagement.
The Scottish Government has committed up to £9.25 million to facilitate the Edinburgh start and Scottish sections of the opening stage. Edinburgh officials estimate a £45.4 million local economic impact.
The 2014 Grand Départ drew an estimated 3.5 million spectators and generated £128 million in economic benefit. Organisers expect the 2027 edition, with its expanded geography and dual races, to exceed those figures, though consolidated forecasts have not yet been published.
