Great Britain could once again host the start of the Tour de France in 2027. How the BBC reports that negotiations between the British sports authorities and the Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.), the organiser of the Tour de France, are said to be at an advanced stage. An official announcement could possibly be made as early as March, according to reports.
Edinburgh is rumoured to be the start of the 2027 Tour de France
If Great Britain wins the bid, it would be only the third time that the Tour de France has started on the island. The last time was in 2014, when the first stages finished in Harrogate, Sheffield and London. The opening stage, which started in Leeds and finished in Harrogate, was won by Marcel Kittel. The premiere of a British Grand Départ took place in London in 2007.
According to the BBC-report, Edinburgh is being touted as a possible venue for the 2027 men's tour. The portal Road.cc also reports that England, Wales and Scotland could split the Grand Départ and each organise one of the first three stages.
Start of the Tour de France Femmes 2027 in the UK?
In addition to the men's Tour, the Tour de France Femmes could also start in Great Britain in 2027. How the Yorkshire Post Leeds is said to be a likely venue for the women's Grand Départ and is also being discussed for the men's Tour in 2027. A women's Grand Départ in the UK would be a first, as the Tour de France Femmes has only been held in its current form since 2022.
Alex Sobel MP from Leeds told the Yorkshire Post"We understand that the UK is in a strong position to host both the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes in 2027. The best Grand Départ ever took place in Leeds in 2014. It would be great to see the Tour return to Leeds if the UK is successful."
In 2025, the women's Tour de France will start in Brittany and finish in Les Portes du Soleil on the Swiss border. This year, the men will start in Lille in northern France and, after a detour to Nice for the 2024 Olympics, will return to the traditional Champs-Élysées in Paris. In 2026, the men will start in Barcelona. A team time trial with a special format will kick things off there.
