Manchester has been confirmed tonight (January 15) as one of the key start and finish destinations for the 2027 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, as organisers unveiled the UK host towns and cities for the historic UK Grand Départs. The announcement marks the biggest milestone since confirmation last March that both cycle races will begin in the UK – the first time they have ever started in the same country, outside France.
The full UK routes for both races were revealed as ten host towns and cities were illuminated simultaneously in a nationwide “Tour de Skies” moment, marking the next major milestone on the road to the 2027 Grand Départs – set to be the largest free sporting spectacle in British history.
Alongside the host venues, the first details of Joy, the social impact programme that will embed community impact at the heart of the 2027 Grand Départ was announced, while British Cycling also confirmed that 7,000 volunteers will be recruited to support the delivery of the world’s biggest free-to-watch sporting event.
When and where will the 2027 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift take place?
The North West will play a central role in hosting both the men’s and women’s races, with Liverpool set to welcome the finish of stage two of the men’s Tour de France on Saturday 3rd July 2027. Manchester will also play a pivotal role in the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, hosting the finish of stage one and the start of stage two on Friday 30th and Saturday 31st July 2027.
The men’s Tour de France will begin in Edinburgh on Friday 2 July 2027, with the opening stage finishing in Carlisle, before stage two travels from Keswick through the Lake District and Lancashire to finish on The Strand in Liverpool, under the watchful gaze of the city’s iconic waterfront.
A month later, the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will begin in Leeds, before crossing the Pennines to Manchester, then returning to Sheffield via the climbs of the Peak District before concluding with a showpiece stage in London.
The newly revealed routes – which UK locations will cyclists visit?
The newly revealed routes take the peloton through some of the most spectacular and culturally significant landscapes in England, Scotland and Wales, including the National Parks of the Lake District, Peak District, and Bannau Brycheiniog, showcasing the very best of Britain to millions of fans watching at the roadside and around the world.
Men’s Tour de France route
-
Friday 2 July | stage one: Edinburgh to Carlisle
-
Saturday 3 July | stage two: Keswick to Liverpool
-
Sunday 4 July | stage three: Welshpool to Cardiff
Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift route:
-
Friday 30 July | stage one: Leeds to Manchester
-
Saturday 31 July | stage two: Manchester to Sheffield
-
Sunday 1 August | stage three: London
data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DTiora-DVgg/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
Christian Prudhomme, Director, Tour de France (ASO): “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. Bringing both Grand Départs here is a testament to the strength of our partnership with British Cycling and the enthusiasm of the UK.”
To find out more information and keep up-to-date with the 2027 Grand Départs, visit here.