The world's most famous cycling event will kick off from Edinburgh next year and could net the nation £100m in spending and spin-offs.

Everything you need to know about the Tour de France'sGrand Départ, which will start from Edinburgh in 2027

1. The Grand Départ is the official first stage of the gruelling three-week Tour de France, which regularly takes the race out of France to other nations. On Friday, July 2, 2027, Edinburgh will host the start of the men’s race, with the official rider presentation and opening ceremony will take place on the evening of Wednesday, June 30.
2. The opening stage travels south through Midlothian and the Scottish Borders, passing the Melrose area before crossing into England and finishing in Carlisle. The stage is approximately 184 km long.
3. Cycling fans - and anyone else keen to catch a glimpse of the race - can watch without charge, with it billed as “the world’s biggest free event”. Spectators can watch the race along accessible roadside viewing areas for no fee. The best viewing point will be in the city, with the route snaking through the Grassmarket and other central areas, where riders will move a bit slower than race pace - in a “neutralised” mode.
4. The opening ceremony at Edinburgh Castle is a separate, ticketed event. Briefs are advertised from £27 and are on sale at midday on Friday, October 30, 2026, with earlier presale windows for eligible groups.
5. With the race going through various parts of the city and expected crowds of over 1.27m, there will be full road closures, parking restrictions, and temporary traffic management measures across Edinburgh and beyond. The event is expected generate more than £45.4m in economic impact for the capital.
6. Scotland has attempted to host a Tour de France grand depart for more than 15 years, narrowly losing out to Yorkshire in 2014. The decision to bring the Tour to Edinburgh builds on a number of recent cycling events in Scotland, including the inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships in 2023, which saw more than a million supporters over 11 days of action.