The eyes of the cycling world will turn to Edinburgh in one year’s time, when for the first time in the race’s 120-year history, the Tour de France departs from Scottish soil, with excitement building ahead of the largest free sporting spectacle in British history.
The first in a series of public activations to celebrate the historic Grand Départ GB 2027 got underway in Edinburgh today, timed to coincide with the start of the 2026 Tour de France in Barcelona this weekend.
The activation, at Edinburgh Waverley railway station, marks exactly one year until the Tour de France departs the Scottish capital on Friday 2 July 2027 – the first time in the race’s history that it will have started in Scotland – with the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift following from Leeds on Friday 30 July 2027.
Edinburgh based professional cyclist Sean Flynn (Team Picnic PostNL), joined Stephen Flynn, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport from the Scottish Government; Cllr Stephen Jenkinson, Transport and Environment Convener from City of Edinburgh Council; and Rob Dickson, Director of Industry & Events at VisitScotland, who came together at Edinburgh Waverley railway station, where the public could participate in a Grand Départ GB promotion on Thursday (2 July) to mark the milestone.
The activation gives people a chance to find out more information on next year’s opening stage, and to discover how they can get involved, joining the 8,750 people who have already applied to play their part in the 2027 Grands Départs by being a JOY Maker. There will also be kid’s activities on offer, facilitated by members of the JOY social impact team.
Anyone who visits the activation can also find out more about the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift that will be hosted by Britain for the first time in summer 2027. As part of the year to go celebrations, Zwift are giving fans the chance to experience the platform and test their Zwift Ride smart bike. For those who are unable to attend in person, Zwift’s festivity of ‘Tour Fever’ will run from 6 July 6 to 16 August, featuring many of the key climbs from both 2026 races and a newly expanded Paris map.
Subsequent activations will take place on Central Square outside Cardiff Central railway station (Thursday 9 July); at Manchester Piccadilly railway station (Thursday 16 July); and at London King’s Cross railway station (Thursday 23 July) and be open from 07:00 to 19:00*.
Commenting on the activations, Paul Bush OBE, Managing Director, Grand Départ GB, said: “Today marks the latest exciting milestone on route to the Grand Départ GB and begins a summer of celebrating the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift as we look ahead to next year, when the eyes of the cycling world will turn to Edinburgh and Britain, as we welcome millions of fans to the roadside.. Our message is simple, come along, find out more and get involved in helping to make this a once-in-a-generation national moment in 2027.”
Fans attending the 2026 Grand Départ in Barcelona can also discover more about next year’s races, with Visit Wales hosting a Grand Départ GB stand in the fan zone in Passeig Lluís Companys, that is open until Sunday (5 July) afternoon.
More details of further public summer activations will be announced in the coming weeks, giving people in communities across the six stages the opportunity to find out more about the Grands Départs, and how they are not just something to watch next year, but something to get involved with now.
Tracy Power, Managing Director of the British Cycling Foundation, said; “It is fantastic to be beginning our public activations in Edinburgh with one year to go, but there is no need to wait until next summer, people can get involved in the Grands Départs now. Whether it is by signing up as a JOY Maker, registering for our Readiness to Work programme if you are a young person, or heading to our website at letourgb.com/joy and discovering our six programmes and how we will bring the joy of cycling to you through positive social change.”
Fancy being a part of the historic 2027 Grands Départs? Sign up as a JOY Maker volunteer at letourgb.com/volunteer
Scottish Government Economy and Tourism Secretary Stephen Flynn said: “The excitement around the Tour de France Grand Départ coming to Scotland is really starting to build with the countdown to July 2027 starting now.
“We are delighted to be opening our doors to one of the world’s biggest sporting events and showcasing all that Scotland has to offer. Having the eyes of the world on Scotland can only be of benefit to the economy and bring a further boost to our tourism sector.
“Hopefully communities across Scotland will be able to engage with the 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ and even take part through the volunteer and social impact programme, to ensure we maximise the benefits of this incredible opportunity.”
UK Government Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock said: “Watching this year’s Tour de France get underway and knowing that it will be our turn next is incredibly exciting.
“We cannot wait to welcome the world’s best riders for both the men’s and women’s races next summer, taking cycling’s most iconic events into the hearts of communities across England, Scotland and Wales.
“Together, the 2027 Grands Départs will be the most accessible major sporting event ever held in Britain and these Year to Go events will give people all over the country the chance to start getting involved now.”
Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, Transport and Environment Convener at City of Edinburgh Council said: “With just one year to go until the Tour de France Grand Départ, the final countdown is on.
“Hosting one of the biggest sporting events in the world will bring visitors, investment, and excitement to the Capital, supporting local business and showcasing Edinburgh at its very best.
“Just as importantly, it can inspire more people to get on their bikes, embrace active travel, and enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits that come with being more active.
“We look forward to welcoming riders, fans and visitors from across the world for this unforgettable occasion.”
Rob Dickson, Director of Industry & Events at Visit Scotland commented: “It is exciting to now be counting down a year to go until Scotland hosts the prestigious Tour de France Grand Départ 2027. Events of this scale raise the international profile of Scotland as a world-class cycling destination, introducing our offering to new audiences and inspiring future visits.
“Cycling is very popular among a number of our major European markets and is an important part of our national sustainable tourism ambitions. With the Tour de France coming to Scotland for the first time, it offers an unparalleled opportunity to inspire a new generation of cycling fans and riders to visit our world class cycling routes while boosting cycle tourism right across the country.
“Tourism and events are vital to the visitor economy, helping to support local businesses and communities and making Scotland a better place to live, visit, work and do business.”
Simon Morton, Director of Events, Sporting System and External Affairs at UK Sport, said: “We’re incredibly excited to welcome the world’s best male and female cyclists to these shores in twelve months’ time, in what’s expected to be the biggest free-to-attend sporting spectacle in British history.
“With routes passing through communities up and down the country, millions of people will be able to experience the action for free, whether that’s at the roadside or via full live coverage on Channel 5.
“Just as importantly, with both the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift starting outside France for the first time, it’s vital we create a legacy in communities across the UK that goes well beyond the racing itself.
“With just a year to go, a range of programmes will help deliver that impact, including JOY, Grand Départ’s social impact programme, which will support opportunities for young people, bring communities together, and help ensure these events leave a positive legacy long after the racing has finished.”
Chris King, Station Manager at Edinburgh Waverley for Network Rail, added: “We’re proud to be hosting the first Grand Départ GB public activation here at Edinburgh Waverley. As one of Scotland’s busiest transport hubs, and at the heart of the nation’s capital, we’re perfectly placed to help the city lead out and build momentum towards 2027. We look forward to welcoming passengers and visitors into the excitement of the Tour de France story at such an important stage.”
