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Liverpool waterfront announced as a host for 2027 Tour de France
Liverpool's iconic waterfront will provide the backdrop for the end of stage two of the men’s Tour De France next year.
Liverpool waterfront announced as a host for 2027 Tour de France
44 mins agoLeft to right: Chris Boardman CBE TDF Stage winner with Christian Prudhomme TDF General Director next to The Beatles statue on Liverpool waterfront (Image: Supplied)
LIVERPOOL's iconic waterfront will provide the backdrop for the end of stage two of the men’s Tour De France next year, it has been announced today.
The competition will begin in Edinburgh on Friday July 2, with the opening stage finishing in Carlisle, before stage two travels from Keswick to finish on The Strand in Liverpool city centre.
Competitors will race from the Cumbrian town of Keswick through Lancashire eventually travelling through the boroughs of Knowsley and St Helens, finishing the stage in a super sprint along Liverpool’s iconic waterfront Liverpool on Saturday, July 3.
The full routes for both the men's and women's races were revealed as ten host towns and cities were illuminated simultaneously in a nationwide "Tour de Skies" moment, marking the next major milestone on the road to the 2027 Grand Départs – set to be the largest free sporting spectacle in British history.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region, said: "The Tour de France is one of the world's most iconic sporting spectacles, so it's only right that it comes to the UK’s most decorated sporting region.
"Whether you're into the Premier League or Rugby League, the drama of the Grand National or the prestige of England’s golf coast, we are the home of truly sensational sporting moments.
"Welcoming the finish of stage two with the backdrop of our iconic waterfront will be an unforgettable occasion - not just for cycling fans, but for everyone who lives here or comes to visit."
Wirral-born Chris Boardman, multiple Yellow Jersey holder on the tour and now National Commissioner at Active Travel England, said: "I never thought I'd see the world's biggest race finishing just eight miles from my home, on roads I know so well. It will be an incredible spectacle.
"The route to Liverpool's iconic waterfront — starting in the Lake District and rolling through Lancashire — promises tough, hilly and spectacular racing.
"The beauty of cycling is that it’s free to watch and open to everyone. Few sports let you get this close to the stars or offer such versatility — from getting to work or school to bringing the whole country together.
"That's why I love cycling, and why I’m thrilled to see the Tour coming to my back yard."
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.
For more details, click here: www.letourgb.com
Simon Morton, director of events at UK Sport: "Today marks a significant milestone in the delivery of what we expect to be the biggest free-to-attend event ever to be held on these shores.
"Our vision was to host a massive sporting event that would genuinely thread together the countries, cities, and communities of Great Britain, and show what we can achieve when we work together.
"The routes announced today do just that, enabling us to reach, unite, and inspire people right across the country – providing moments of joy for millions, bringing communities together, and delivering lasting benefits beyond race day."
"We at UK Sport are delighted to be playing our part and are proud to support the partners working together to make the 2027 Grand Départs a success.”
Jon Dutton, chief executive of British Cycling, said: "The Grand Départs in 2027 are about so much more than six unforgettable stages of racing - it's about unlocking lasting change for communities right across Britain.
"Through Joy – our collective, game-changing social impact programme – we will put opportunity, wellbeing and community pride right at the heart of this moment in sporting history."
Paul Bush, managing director of Grand Départ GB 2027, said: "Revealing the full routes of these opening stages is a huge moment for everyone involved and my thanks to all our partners.
"The UK has hosted unforgettable Grand Départs before, but 2027 will be bigger than anything we’ve seen – with both the men’s and women’s pelotons starting here together for the historic very first time. This will be a “moment for the Nation” and is a once in a generation opportunity to inspire more people to experience the joy and freedom of cycling."
. Amazing. I’m not into cycling although I do watch it sometimes just for the scenery really when in France. Be rude not to go a give them a cheer.
