Key Points
- Race organisers unveiled the full 2027 Tour de France route in Paris, confirming Scotland will host the Grand Départ for the first time.
- Stage 1 starts at Holyrood Palace and Edinburgh Castle on Friday, 2 July 2027, covering 184 kilometres to Carlisle.
- The opening British leg includes three stages across Scotland, England, and Wales, with Stage 2 running from Keswick to Liverpool and Stage 3 from Welshpool to Cardiff.
- Great Britain will host both the men’s and women’s Grand Départs in 2027, with the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift beginning in Leeds on 30 July.
- Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) and Grand Départ GB announced that pre-sale tickets for the team presentation at Edinburgh Castle open on 23 October.
EDINBURGH (Edinburgh Daily) October 22, 2026 – The 114th edition of the Tour de France will make history by hosting its most northerly Grand Départ to date in Edinburgh, Scotland, as part of an extensive 3,479-kilometre route spanning Great Britain and France.
Race organisers Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) formally presented the full schedule at the Palais des Congrès in Paris, confirming details for three British stages before the peloton transfers across the English Channel to complete the remaining 18 stages.
As reported by Tom Mallows of BBC Sport, Paul Bush, the Managing Director of Grand Départ GB 2027, stated that “The start of the Grand Départ will be at Holyrood Palace, which is one of our iconic venues in the city. The peloton will travel up the Royal Mile, down North Bridge, along Princes Street, through the Mound, into the Grassmarket and then wend its way out of the city“.
Stage 1 will cover 184 kilometres on Friday, 2 July 2027, taking riders from the Scottish capital through Midlothian, the Scottish Borders, and Dumfries and Galloway, before crossing the border to finish outside Carlisle’s medieval castle.
“This will be a moment for the nation and is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to inspire more people to experience the joy and freedom of cycling.” — Paul Bush, Managing Director of Grand Départ GB 2027
How will the British stages unfold across England and Wales?
Following the opening stage in Scotland, the race will move directly into north-west England for Stage 2 on Saturday, 3 July. Riders will depart from Keswick in the Lake District National Park, passing Thirlmere, Grasmere, and Windermere, traversing the Lancashire fells via the Côte de Jubilee Tower before concluding in Liverpool city centre over a 223-kilometre distance.
The third stage, scheduled for Sunday, 4 July, brings the peloton into Wales for another 223-kilometre route from Welshpool in Powys to the Welsh capital of Cardiff. The demanding Welsh terrain will present early opportunities for breakaway riders and general classification contenders before the race observes its first rest day during the transfer to continental France on 5 July.
In addition to the men’s event, 2027 marks the first time a country outside France will host the Grand Départs for both the men’s and women’s events in the same calendar year. The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will commence on Friday, 30 July 2027, featuring three initial stages starting in Leeds and visiting Manchester and Sheffield.
What is the route across France following the UK grand depart?
After returning to France, the peloton will head through the Morvan and Massif Central regions towards the Alps and Pyrenees. Key stage hosts along the continental route include Mende, high-altitude mountain finishes in the Pyrenees, and a return to traditional individual time trials. The race will reach its conclusion on Sunday, 25 July 2027, along the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
As reported by Julien Pretot of Reuters, Christian Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France, stated that “Crossing the border into Scotland brings an extraordinary atmosphere and new geographical challenges to the opening weekend, setting up an exceptional 2027 edition.”
“To have both the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift starting in Britain next summer is extraordinary, and a historic moment.” — Paul Bush, Managing Director of Grand Départ GB 2027
Local authorities across Scotland and England have confirmed extensive rolling road closures to ensure rider safety throughout the 13-kilometre neutralised rollout from Edinburgh Castle down to the official start line. Tickets for the rider presentation ceremony at Edinburgh Castle on 30 June will go on pre-sale on 23 October.
What is the background of the 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ?
The announcement of Scotland’s selection as host for the 2027 Grand Départ represents the culmination of a multi-year joint bid spearheaded by UK Sport, EventScotland, and British Cycling.
The United Kingdom previously hosted successful Tour de France stage starts in 1974 (Plymouth), 1994 (Dover and Brighton), 2007 (London), and 2014 (Yorkshire and London). However, the 2027 edition marks the very first occasion that the race route has been extended into Scotland.
The joint hosting agreement between the UK government and ASO was forged to build upon the legacy of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships held in Glasgow and across Scotland.
By securing both the men’s Grand Départ and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in the same summer, sports governance bodies aimed to boost tourism, expand major event infrastructure, and encourage cycling participation across all regions of Great Britain.
How will this development affect cycling fans and local communities?
The selection of Scotland, England, and Wales for the opening stages of the 2027 Tour de France is set to have a substantial economic and logistical impact on local communities, cycling enthusiasts, and business operators across Great Britain.
For cycling fans, the free-to-watch event offers a rare opportunity to watch world-class professional athletes up close along public highways and historic city centres.
Local hospitality sectors, including hotels, restaurants, and retail businesses along the 184-kilometre Scottish route, are expected to see a significant influx of domestic and international visitors during early July 2027.
Conversely, residents and commuters along the race corridors in Edinburgh, the Scottish Borders, Cumbria, Merseyside, and South Wales will face temporary disruption due to necessary road closures and security measures required to host a global sporting event of this scale.
