2027 Tour de France Starts in UK for Both Genders

The 2027 editions of the men's and women's Tour de France will launch in the United Kingdom for the first time together, marking a historic Grand Départ that showcases Britain's diverse landscapes from Scotland to Wales and northern England to London. The men's race begins in Edinburgh on July 2, while the women's event starts in Leeds on July 30, organizers announced Thursday.

The men's Tour will open with a 184-kilometer first stage from Edinburgh through Midlothian and the Scottish Borders, passing towns such as Newtongrange, Innerleithen, Galashiels, Selkirk and Hawick before crossing into England and finishing in Carlisle near the city's medieval castle. The route includes a king-of-the-mountains climb on the Côte de Melrose in the Eildon Hills. On July 3, the second stage covers undulating terrain from Keswick in the Lake District National Park to Liverpool's waterfront on The Strand. The third stage on July 4 starts in Welshpool, Powys, and winds through south Wales' valleys with climbs on the Côte de Rhigos and Côte de Caerffili, ending in Cardiff. Riders will then fly to France to continue the race, covering about 630 kilometers over the three UK stages.