Tour de France to return to the UK in 2027 with Edinburgh to host men's Grand Depart

The men's and women's Tour de France competitions will both begin in the United Kingdom in what will mark a historic summer for the prestigious event.

Although the men's Tour de France has been partly staged in the UK on four previous occasions - in 1974, 1994, 2007 and 2014 - 2027 will mark the first time the women's competition will also begin on British soil.

Edinburgh has been announced as the location in which the men's Grand Depart will take place in 2027, with the women's Tour de France expected to launch in Yorkshire.

The 2027 men's Tour de France will begin with the Grand Depart in Edinburgh's city centre before following a route through England and into Wales.

Edinburgh will become the third British location to host a Grand Depart in the past 20 years after London in 2007 and Yorkshire in 2014.

There will be six Tour stages held in the UK in total in 2027 - three in the men's race and three in the women's.

This unprecedented move is expected to prompt millions of UK citizens to go out and spectate the Tour de France live.

It is hoped that bringing the Tour de France to the UK will provide fresh exposure to the sport of cycling and encourage public health and wellbeing.

James Wilson

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