Tour de France Femmes 2027 route unveiled with Grand Départ in Manchester and Sheffield
The race marks the first time Britain will host the women's Tour
Last updated 20th Apr 2026
Greater Manchester and Sheffield are set to host the world's top cyclists as details have been revealed for the 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift route.
The race marks the first time Britain will host the women's Tour, with Manchester announced as the venue for Stage One's finish on 30th July 2027 and Stage Two's start on 31st July.
The challenging and scenic routes through Leeds, Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, and Derbyshire set the stage for a historic event that begins in Leeds before passing through areas like Rochdale and Oldham, culminating in Manchester city centre.
Cyclists will then journey towards Sheffield, offering a visual spectacle and two days of competitive racing.
Additionally, London will host the first-ever team time trial on 1st August 2027, featuring a circuit through central London landmarks.
The 2027 Grand Départ is unique as both the men's and women's Tours will begin in the UK, aiming to inspire local participation and deliver lasting impacts through the 'Joy' programme, which focuses on community improvement and skills development.
A volunteer programme will facilitate involvement from Greater Manchester, enhancing the region's contribution to what is anticipated to be the UK's largest free-to-watch sporting event.
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."
Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said:
"Greater Manchester hosting the opening stages of the Tour de France Femmes is a huge opportunity for everyone who lives, works and will visit here during that time, and we are expecting excitement to grow even further, especially now we know the route the Grand Départ will take through our city-region.
"Seeing the competitors of the world’s biggest women’s cycling race right up close, as they weave their way through Manchester, Stockport, Rochdale and Oldham, will be incredibly inspiring for people of all ages and the benefits to local communities and future generations of riders will be far reaching. Hosting both a finish and a start means that everyone visiting the city centre will have an incredible opportunity to be close at hand to the pre and post-race action too, something that is truly unique in the sport of cycling.
"Hosting the first two days of the Grand Depart not only shines a global spotlight on women’s cycling, it boosts visibility for elite sport and the opportunities available that encourage more women and girls to see cycling as something for them. I’m excited to see the legacy of this historic event and with all the work being done in preparation for the arrival of "Le Tour", know it will be felt in Greater Manchester for years to come.”
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.”
Manchester city centre will host the Stage One finish, while Stage Two begins from Albert Square, showcasing routes through Stockport and Peak District towards Sheffield.
The team time trial in London will be a landmark for women's cycling, concluding the Grand Départ with a finish on The Mall.