Cardiff has been confirmed tonight as the finishing point of the third UK stage of the 2027 Tour de France, as organisers revealed the start and finish locations for the historic men’s and women’s Grand Départs.
The announcement highlights Wales’ central role in the 2027 Tour de France, with stage three of the men’s race starting in Welshpool in Powys and finishing in Cardiff on Sunday 4 July 2027, passing through some of the region’s most scenic and challenging climbs, including the Côte de Rhigos and Côte de Caerffili in the final kilometres.
The announcement reveals the full UK routes, with the men’s Tour de France set to begin in Edinburgh on Friday 2 July 2027, with an opening stage heading to Carlisle, before visiting Keswick, Liverpool and Welshpool, finishing the UK leg of the world’s biggest annual sporting event in Cardiff.
The 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will start in Leeds on Friday 30 July 2027, 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.
To celebrate the moment, Cardiff Castle, Powis Castle and all 8 other start and finish locations were lit up simultaneously tonight, with a yellow beam sent up into the night’s sky.
Leeds Civic Hall – close to the Headrow, the start location for the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift – was transformed into a striking canvas, celebrating past British Grand Départs and revealing all six UK stages for the first time, as they wind their way across the country.
From the castles of Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Powis, to the Moot Hall in Keswick, across the iconic Liverpool waterfront and the London skyline, the coordinated yellow beams celebrated each region’s role in welcoming the Grand Départ while uniting the UK in one national moment of anticipation ahead of 2027.
Alongside the host venues, first details of Joy, the social impact programme that will embed community impact at the heart of the 2027 Grand Départs 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.
Eluned Morgan, First Minister of Wales:
“Wales is proud to host a stage of the Tour de France Grand Depart for the first time in 2027, which will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase our stunning landscapes at one of the world’s biggest sporting events. Hosting the final UK stage of the men’s race will raise Wales’s profile as a world-class destination for cyclists and other visitors, while inspiring more people to get active and deliver lasting benefits for Wales.”
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.”
Marion Rousse, Director, Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift said:
“The United Kingdom has played an important role in the history of women’s cycling, with champions such as Lizzie Armitstead-Deignan. Starting the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in Leeds is a strong choice, closely linked to this heritage and to the enthusiasm of a public that knows and loves the Tour. These stages clearly reflect the race’s ambition: to continue growing women’s cycling and to inspire future generations.”
Lizzie Deignan, British road and track racing world champion:
“Racing the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift has been one of the highlights of my career, and seeing the women’s edition go from strength to strength has been genuinely inspiring. To know that both the men’s and women’s races will start here in 2027, and especially that the women will come to my home roads of Yorkshire, is truly special. This is a huge moment for the sport and an opportunity that will inspire countless women and girls to get on their bikes.”
