One year to go - Tour de France 2027

Today (Thursday 2 July) Grand Départ GB has marked on year to go until the 2027 Tour de France departs from Edinburgh with a public activation in Waverly Station in the capital city. 

As preparations are finalised for the 2026 race, which begins in Barcelona this weekend, excitement is growing for the historic Grands Départs that will see Britain hosting the start of the Tour de France (from Edinburgh) and the Tour de France Femmes avec Swift (from Leeds), in what will be the largest free sporting spectacle in British history. 

The men's Tour De France will begin in Edinburgh before heading south through Midlothian, the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway. 

L - R John Watt from Scottish Cycling, Stephen Jenkinson from City of Edinburgh Council, Sean Flynn, Stephen Flynn from Scottish Government, Rob Dickson from VisitScotland.

Marking one year to go

Our Director of Industry and Events Rob Dickson attended the milestone celebration alongside Stephen Flynn, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport from the Scottish Government, Cllr Stephen Jenkinson, Transport and Environment Convenor from City of Edinburgh Council, John watt, Chair of Scottish Cycling and Edinburgh based professional cyclist Sean Flynn (Team Picnic PostNL).

To mark the occasion, a Grand Départ GB promotional stand has been set up in Waverly Station, where the public can find out more information on next year's opening stage, discover how they can get involved in the event, and join the 8750 people who have already applied to play their part in the 2027 Grands Départs by being a JOY Maker - the Tour De France volunteer programme.

Anyone who visits the activation throughout the day can also find out more about the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift that will be hosted by Britain for the first time in summer 2027.

As part of the year to go celebrations, Zwift are giving fans the chance to experience the platform and test their Zwift Ride smart bike.  For those who are unable to attend in person, Zwift's festivity of 'Tour Fever' will run from 6 July 6 to 16 August, featuring many of the key climbs from both 2026 races and a newly expanded Paris map.

Get involved in the 2027 Tour De France

Watch the action unfold

In 2027, the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will both begin in the United Kingdom – the first time both Grands Départs have taken place in the same country, outside France.

The joint UK Grands Départs mark an important moment for cycling, with both the men’s and women’s Tours showcased on one of the world’s greatest sporting stages. With millions of spectators expected, it will be the largest free-to-watch sporting event in UK history.

Organisers also recently announced that free-to-air coverage of both the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will be shown on 5, in partnership with TNT Sports, helping to bring the Grand tours to the widest possible audiences in the UK. 

Volunteer programme

A dedicated social impact programme, JOY, will deliver lasting impact beyond 2027, focused on improving health and wellbeing, skills development  and connecting communities.

The programme will create an opportunity for young people to develop and showcase their skills whilst bringing together community groups to showcase and celebrate their local area and include a nationwide volunteer programme offering thousands of people the chance to be part of these historic sporting events first-hand.

Sign up as a JOY Maker volunteer at: letourgb.com/volunteer