Leeds Marks One Year to Tour de France Femmes Start

July 30, 2026 Off By

Countdown begins for 2027 Grand Départ in Leeds

Leeds has reached a significant milestone in the preparations for the Grand Départ of the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, with exactly one year to go until the event. The city will host the start of the first stage of this major women’s professional cycling race on 30 July 2027, marking the first time the race visits Britain.

To commemorate the one-year countdown, a pop-up event was held in City Square, Leeds, featuring the Tour de France’s iconic yellow branding. The event provided local residents and visitors with information about the race and plans for 2027, as well as details about volunteering opportunities through the Grand Départ’s JOY Makers programme. Attendees could also take part in a ‘selfie moment’ beside a large-scale Tour de France Femmes logo.

Event Details and Route

The 2027 Tour de France Femmes Grand Départ will begin in Leeds on 30 July, with the first stage running from Leeds to Manchester. The following day, the race will continue from Manchester to Sheffield, before concluding in London on 1 August.

The Leeds stage will start on the Headrow, where riders will complete a partial loop of the city centre before heading towards Headingley. The route then passes Headingley Stadium, Kirkstall, Bramley, Gamble Hill, Farnley, and Drighlington before crossing into Kirklees and over the Pennines to Manchester.

Preparations and Community Engagement

Leeds City Council and race organisers are continuing detailed preparations for the event.
Information on road closures and traffic restrictions will be announced in due course.
A programme of engagement with residents, businesses, and communities is planned to ensure smooth delivery.
Residents can sign up for Leeds-specific updates via a dedicated mailing list on the Visit Leeds website.

Historical Context and Significance

Leeds previously hosted the Grand Départ of the men’s Tour de France in 2014, attracting around 230,000 spectators in the city centre and millions more across Yorkshire. The 2027 event will make Leeds the first location outside mainland Europe to host the start of stage one for both the men’s and women’s Tour de France Grand Départs.

The men’s 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ will also take place in the UK from 2 to 4 July, with stages visiting cities including Edinburgh, Carlisle, Liverpool, and Cardiff.