Tour de France: Excitement as world's greatest cycling event comes to Sheffield again
Sheffield has been chosen as one of 10 UK cities to host the world’s greatest cycling event, it has ben announced today.
Throughout July 2027, people across the country will get the chance to experience one of the largest, free sporting spectacles anywhere in the world as the Tour de France brings top cyclists to the nation.
Cyclists will race from Edinburgh to London, as they compete for the iconic yellow jersey across six stages - three for men and three for women.
These stages will take place across 10 locations in the UK, bringing the action to cities across England, Scotland and Wales.
And to top things off, the Steel City has been chosen as one place to host the world-renowned event, with the second stage of the women’s race ending in Sheffield.
The men’s Tour de France will begin in Edinburgh on Friday July 2, 2027, with an opening stage heading to Carlisle, before visiting Keswick, Liverpool and Welshpool, finishing the UK leg of the annual sporting event in Cardiff.
The women’s race - known as the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift - will then begin on Friday, July 30 in Leeds, with athletes crossing the Pennines to Manchester, before heading to Sheffield through the steep climbs of the Peak District a day later on July 31.
It is expected that the peloton will pass through some of the region’s most famous climbs, including the Snake Pass, while organisers have hinted at repeating some of the routes from the massively popular 2014 Tour de France stage in Yorkshire.
On August 1, the racers will then travel to London to finish the event in the capital city.
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Barnsley South MP Stephanie Peacock, who also acts as Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth, said: “These routes will reach places few other events can and give people another reason to be proud of where they live. All over the country, they’ll see world-class cyclists pass through their towns, down their high streets and maybe even right past their front doors.
“Events like the Tour de France bring communities together, boost local economies and inspire more people to discover the benefits of sport. We cannot wait to welcome these iconic races next year.”
This will be the first time both the men’s and women’s races have started in the same country, outside of France.
To mark the milestone announcement on January 15, coordinated yellow beams were shot into the sky across each region welcoming the race, including one from outside Sheffield Town Hall this aternoon.
South Yorkshire has a long history with cycling, with gold-medallist Olympian Ed Clancy hailing from Barnsley and returning to the area to become the county’s active travel commissioner.
Today local cyclists were invited to Sheffield Town Hall to celebrate the event’s return - alongside Ed Clancy and leading councillors.
Ed said: “It’s incredible to see such a massive event come to our home turf.
“I’ve seen from my own eyes the transformative effect the Olympics and Tour can have - hopefully this will be the same.”
Sheffield Mayor Councillor Safiya Saeed gave a speech to those in attendance, in which she called this ‘history in the making’.
She added: ““It will be the first time the Tour de France women’s race has ever started in the UK.
“It is also the first time the men’s and the women’s race will start in the same country.
“That’s history in the making and Sheffield will be part of it.
“This will be the biggest spectator sporting event in British history - we could not be more excited to help bring that energy, inspiration and opportunity to our city.”
In 2014, local people came out en masse to celebrate the Tour de France’s passage through Yorkshire, waving flags and celebrating the top-class racers who braved Sheffield’s infamous hills.
During the incredible spectacle over a decade ago now, cyclists went up the famous Jenkin Road in Wincobank, out to Bradfield and passed by Meadowhall.
The excitement never truly stopped though, as countless people turn out for the annual Sheffield Grand Prix cycling event, while in 2024 the city was the starting point of a leg of the Tour of Britain.
In a press briefing held in Leeds, Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme said they would consider bringing the men’s race back to the region in future, adding: “Yorkshire will always have a special place in my heart.”
He continued: “The UK has always welcomed the tour with passion and pride, and the route details we are revealing today reflect the beauty and diversity of Britain’s terrain.
“Bringing both Grand Départs here is a testament to the strength of our partnership with British Cycling and the enthusiasm of the UK.”
British Cycling have confirmed that 7,000 volunteers will be recruited to support the delivery of the massive event next year.
Alongside the route announcement, organisers also revealed ‘Joy’, a social programme aiming to tackle inactivity at locations across the country during the race’s run.
Organisers are working collaboratively with governments, local councils, core delivery partners and community representatives to create opportunities for young people to develop their skills, break down barriers for girls in sport, and to showcase community culture through the voices of Britain.
Councillor Mohammed Mahroof, Chair of the Economic Development, Skills and Culture Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Sheffield will host the stage two finale of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in 2027.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for our city to welcome the world, celebrate our vibrant communities, and inspire people of all ages to get active.
“Sheffield has a proud tradition of hosting major sporting events, and we look forward to working with partners and residents to make this a truly memorable occasion. The legacy of this event will be felt for years to come, as we showcase everything that makes Sheffield such a special place to live, work, and visit.”
Lizzie Deignan MBE, British road and track racing world champion, said: “Racing the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift has been one of the highlights of my career, and seeing the women’s edition go from strength to strength has been genuinely inspiring.
“To know that both the men’s and women’s races will start here in 2027, and especially that the women will come to my home roads of Yorkshire, is truly special. This is a huge moment for the sport and an opportunity that will inspire countless women and girls to get on their bikes.”