Leeds is set to welcome the world’s cycling spotlight once again, having been confirmed as a host city for the Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. The city will play a historic role on July 30, 2027, as the first location outside mainland Europe to host the start of stage one for both the men’s and women’s Tours.
The announcement was celebrated at Leeds City Museum, where around 150 guests, including Leeds City Council leader Councillor James Lewis and Lord Mayor Councillor Dan Cohen, heard details of the UK start and finish locations for the women’s race. Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock MP, Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme, Tour de France Femmes director Marion Rousse, and Otley-born Olympic cyclist Lizzie Deignan were among the speakers at the event. Outside, Leeds Civic Hall and Millennium Square were illuminated with yellow beams, paying tribute to past British Grand Départs while launching the countdown to 2027.
Stage one of the women’s race will see riders depart from the Headrow in Leeds, crossing the Pennines to Manchester. Stage two, on July 31, runs from Manchester to Sheffield via the Peak District, followed by a London leg on August 1. Full route details through Leeds will be announced in spring. The Headrow start evokes memories of the 2014 Tour de France Grand Départ, when 230,000 people packed the city centre and two million more lined the Yorkshire route, contributing over £100m to the local economy, with long-term tourism and trade benefits.
Leeds’ sporting pedigree extends beyond cycling. Recent major events include IRONMAN Leeds, the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, and the 2022 Rugby League World Cup. In 2026, Headingley Stadium will host five fixtures as part of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Councillor James Lewis said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Leeds has been chosen as a host location for the Grand Départ of 2027’s Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. No one who was present at the 2014 Tour de France Grand Départ here will ever forget the incredible atmosphere and sights that day, and I’m sure next year’s event will deliver a whole new set of brilliant memories. The council will now be working closely with the race organisers and a wide range of other partners and stakeholders as we prepare for what promises to be a really special day. We can assure local communities that we will be engaging with them in the coming months as further details about the Grand Départ, including route information, are released.”
Lizzie Deignan, recently-retired cycling star and Olympic medallist, said: “I am so happy that Leeds is a host city for the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Grand Départ. This is something that I could only have dreamed about as a girl. There wasn’t even a Tour de France for women when I first started cycling, so I am incredibly proud that this is happening. Leeds is a sporting community, we’ve had some incredible athletes come through this city over the years and it’s really exciting that we get to be on the world stage.”
The men’s 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ will run from July 2 to 4, beginning in Edinburgh and passing through cities including Carlisle, Liverpool, and Cardiff. As part of the announcement celebrations, the ‘Tour de Skies’ yellow light projection seen in Leeds will also be displayed at the nine other start and finish locations across the UK.
Volunteering opportunities for both Grand Départs, covering areas such as route operations and spectator support, will be announced in spring. The events are organised by French company ASO, with delivery of the 2027 UK Grand Départs led by Grand Départ GB and British Cycling.
