Excitement grows as world famous Tour de France will be hosted locally
Rhondda Cynon Taf has been confirmed tonight as one of the host routes of the third UK stage of the 2027 Tour de France, as organisers revealed the start and finish locations for the historic races in July 2027.
The announcement highlights Wales’ central role in the 2027 Tour de France, with stage three of the men’s race starting in Welshpool in Powys and finishing in Cardiff on Sunday, July 4, 2027, passing through some of the region’s most scenic and challenging climbs.
In the final kilometers of the stage, the route will include three of Rhondda Cynon Taf’s most challenging climbs – Côte de Rhigos, Côte de Penrhys and Côte de Maerdy.
The announcement reveals the full UK routes, with the men’s Tour de France set to begin in Edinburgh on Friday 2 July 2027, with an opening stage heading to Carlisle, before visiting Keswick, Liverpool and Welshpool, finishing the UK leg of the world’s biggest annual sporting event in Cardiff.
To celebrate the moment, Cardiff Castle and all nine other start and finish locations were lit up simultaneously tonight, with a yellow beam sent up into the night’s sky.
From the castles of Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Powis, to the Moot Hall in Keswick, across the iconic Liverpool waterfront and the London skyline, the coordinated yellow beams celebrated each region’s role in welcoming the Grand Départ while uniting the UK in one national moment of anticipation ahead of 2027.
Alongside the host venues, first details of Joy, the social impact programme that will embed community impact at the heart of the 2027 Grand Départ was announced, while British Cycling also confirmed that 7,000 volunteers will be recruited to support the delivery of the world’s biggest free-to-watch sporting event.
Alongside the route announcement, organisers also revealed Joy, the social impact programme at the heart of the 2027 Grand Départ, that aims to tackle inactivity and improve mental wellbeing, support communities to thrive, and to make Britain more productive and prosperous.
Six core programmes will be rolled out across the home nations, with organisers 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.
Additionally, British Cycling will look to recruit more than 7,000 volunteers for the Grand Départ, inviting people across the UK to play a hands-on role in delivering the world’s biggest free-to-watch sporting event. Thousands of opportunities will be available across route operations, spectator support and community engagement, offering people of all ages the chance to be part of Tour history, with more details to be announced when the programme is launched in the spring.
To find out more information and keep up-to-date with the 2027 Grand Départs, please visit letourgb.com