Manchester is set to welcome some of the world’s best cyclists next year, after the city was confirmed as a key start and finish destination for the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
Manchester hosts the finish of the iconic women’s cycling race on Fri 30 Jul 2027, as well as being the start of stage two the following day.
The start and finish for the first-ever visit of the women’s race to Britain were revealed back in January, alongside the route for the men’s race, which starts in Edinburgh a few weeks earlier on Fri 2 Jul 2027.
Full routes have now been revealed for the two stages of the 2027 Grand Départ as the race leaves host city Leeds, before heading through Yorkshire and into Greater Manchester, where it will weave its way through Rochdale and Oldham into Manchester city centre, before going back out of Manchester via Stockport and Derbyshire to the finish in Sheffield.
Next year marks the first time both Grand Départs, for the men’s and the women’s race, will begin in the United Kingdom, and the first time they have taken place in the same country outside of France. With millions of spectators expected, it will become one of the largest free-to-watch sporting events in UK history.
Jon Dutton, Chief Executive, British Cycling, said: “This is a hugely exciting moment for women’s cycling in Great Britain and having two stages on our doorstep here in Greater Manchester makes it even more exciting, especially now we can reveal the towns and villages through which the race route will pass in each of the boroughs.
“The 2027 Grand Départ will be a historic national moment, capturing the attention of the whole country and unlocking lasting change for our communities. Through the JOY programme – our collective, game-changing social impact programme – we want to ensure that this moment inspires more girls and women to discover the joy of cycling and to help communities across Greater Manchester and the whole of Britain to get active.”
Organisers also revealed details of Joy, a social impact programme that will embed community impact at the heart of the 2027 Grand Départs. Joy will see six core programmes rolled out across the home nations with organisers working collaboratively with local councils, community representatives, delivery partners and governments to create opportunities for young people to develop their skills, break down barriers for girls in sport.
A volunteer programme will also offer hundreds of people from Greater Manchester and thousands more across the country the chance to be part of these historic sporting events.
Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Being able to watch the world’s best cyclists in action and in such an iconic event, taking place right here on our doorstep in the heart of Manchester next summer, is going to be epic on so many levels.
“Championing women and girls to participate in and enjoy sports – including cycling – at all levels from entry through to elite, is really important to us and next year’s Tour de France Femmes is set to play a huge part in helping inspire the next generation of sporting talent from our city.
“With millions of spectators expected to line the routes, including here in the city centre, we’ll be going all out to help ensure the event’s success with what is set to be a ‘Tour takeover’ of the city to maximise opportunities for local people and businesses to get involved, to grow their own sporting skills, and to take part in the many community activities being planned.”
To find out more information and keep up-to-date with the 2027 Grand Départs, head to letourGB.com
Featured image credit: A.S.O / Pauline Ballet
- Words:
- Bradley Lengden
- Published on:
- Wed 22 Apr 2026
