Grand Départ GB 2027 countdown begins with Edinburgh activation

The first in a series of public activations celebrating the historic Grand Départ GB 2027 took place in Edinburgh on 2 July, coinciding with the start of the 2026 Tour de France in Barcelona.

Held at Edinburgh Waverley railway station, the activation marked exactly one year until the Tour de France departs from the Scottish capital on 2 July 2027. It will be the first time in the race’s history that the Grand Départ has been held in Scotland. The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will follow from Leeds on 30 July 2027.

The event gave visitors the opportunity to learn more about next year’s opening stage and discover how they can get involved by becoming a JOY Maker, joining the 8,750 people who have already applied to support the 2027 Grands Départs. Children’s activities, organised by members of the JOY social impact team, were also available.

Visitors were also able to find out more about the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, which Britain will host for the first time in summer 2027. As part of the one-year countdown celebrations, Zwift offered fans the chance to experience its platform and test the Zwift Ride smart bike. For those unable to attend in person, Zwift’s ‘Tour Fever’ campaign will run from 6 July to 16 August, featuring many of the key climbs from both 2026 races, along with a newly expanded Paris map.

Further public activations will take place at Central Square outside Cardiff Central railway station on 9 July, Manchester Piccadilly railway station on 16 July and London King’s Cross railway station on 23 July. Each activation will be open from 07:00 to 19:00.

Fans attending the 2026 Grand Départ in Barcelona can also learn more about next year’s races by visiting the Grand Départ GB stand hosted by Visit Wales in the fan zone at Passeig Lluís Companys. The stand will remain open until the afternoon of 5 July.

“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,” said Tracy Power, Managing Director of the British Cycling Foundation.

“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, bringing cycling’s most iconic events into the hearts of communities across England, Scotland and Wales,” said UK Government Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock.