The Tour de France Femmes is set to make history in 2027 with a landmark start in London, marking the race’s first-ever Grand Départ outside mainland Europe, race organizers confirmed this week. The Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), which oversees both the men’s and women’s editions of the Tour de France, announced that the 2027 women’s race will begin in the British capital before heading south through Kent and into northern England, culminating in a highly anticipated stage finish in Yorkshire.
This expansion represents a significant step in the race’s evolution since its revival in 2022 after a decades-long hiatus. The 2027 edition will be the sixth running of the modern Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, and organizers say the route reflects growing global interest in women’s cycling, particularly in the UK, where domestic races like the Tour of Britain Women’s have seen surging attendance and broadcast viewership in recent years.
“London has long been a spiritual home for cycling culture in Britain,” said Marion Rousse, director of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, in a statement released by ASO. “To launch the race from iconic landmarks like The Mall or Tower Bridge would not only honor that legacy but also showcase the sport to millions who may not otherwise engage with elite women’s cycling.” Rousse, a former French national champion and commentator, has been instrumental in shaping the race’s identity since its return.
The decision to start in London follows years of advocacy from British cycling groups and local authorities eager to host a WorldTour-level women’s stage race. While the men’s Tour de France has visited the UK four times since 1974 — most recently in 2014 when Leeds hosted the Grand Départ — the women’s race has never before crossed the English Channel for its opening stages.
ASO confirmed that the 2027 route will span approximately 1,000 kilometers over eight stages, maintaining the format introduced in 2023 that balances mountainous terrain with opportunities for sprinters, and puncheurs. Although the full stage-by-stage itinerary has not yet been released, sources close to the organizing committee indicate that the race will likely include a time trial in Kent, a challenging stage through the Surrey Hills, and a finale in Yorkshire that could feature a climb reminiscent of the infamous Côte de Cragg Vale or the steep ramps of Park Rash — both fan favorites from the men’s Tour of Yorkshire.
Yorkshire, in particular, has become synonymous with passionate cycling crowds in the UK. During the 2014 Tour de France Grand Départ, over 2.5 million spectators lined the roads across two days in Yorkshire, setting a record for the largest crowd ever to witness a cycling event in Britain at the time. Local officials anticipate similar or even greater numbers for the 2027 women’s race, especially given the rising profile of British riders such as Pfeiffer Georgi (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL), Anna Shackley (Lidl-Trek), and Zoe Bäckstedt (Canyon-SRAM Racing), all of whom have emerged as contenders on the WorldTour stage.
“We’ve seen what happens when elite cycling comes to Yorkshire,” said Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, the regional tourism body that helped bring the 2014 men’s Grand Départ to the area. “The energy is unlike anything else. Hosting a stage of the Tour de France Femmes would be a proud moment for our communities and a powerful inspiration for the next generation of female cyclists.” Verity’s organization has been in discussions with ASO for over two years regarding a potential women’s stage in the region.
The 2027 Tour de France Femmes will also benefit from an expanded UCI Women’s WorldTour calendar, which has grown to include more than 25 races globally as of the 2024 season. Increased investment from sponsors like Zwift, which has been the title partner since the race’s revival, has allowed for higher minimum salaries, improved broadcast coverage, and greater logistical support for teams.
According to data released by the UCI in early 2024, the average viewership for the Tour de France Femmes across broadcast and streaming platforms increased by 48% between 2022 and 2023, with peak audiences exceeding 2.1 million viewers globally during Stage 8 in the Alps. In the UK, BBC Sport reported a 62% year-on-year increase in streaming numbers for the women’s race in 2023, attributing the growth to stronger promotional efforts and timed broadcasts that avoided clashes with major men’s events.
Despite this progress, challenges remain. The women’s race still covers fewer kilometers and offers lower prize money than its male counterpart — though ASO has committed to parity in prize money by 2027, aligning with UCI regulations that mandate equal pay for WorldTour events by 2025. The total prize fund for the 2023 Tour de France Femmes was €250,000, with €50,000 going to the overall winner, Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime). By comparison, the men’s race distributed over €2.3 million in prize money that same year.
Organizers say the London start and Yorkshire finale are designed not only to celebrate cycling’s cultural footprint in Britain but also to accelerate momentum toward full equity. “Visibility drives value,” Rousse added. “When fans witness elite women racing on the same roads, under the same spotlight, it changes perceptions — and that’s where real change begins.”
As of now, no official route details or stage towns have been published by ASO. The organization typically unveils the full Parcours approximately 12 months before the race, meaning fans can expect the complete 2027 itinerary to be revealed in mid-to-late 2026. Until then, speculation will continue to build around potential climbs, sprint finishes, and whether the race might include a cobblestone stage in northern France — a feature that has become a hallmark of the men’s edition but has yet to appear in the women’s route.
The 2027 Tour de France Femmes will begin in London in late July or early August, following the traditional window used since the race’s revival to avoid overlapping with the men’s Tour, which concludes on the final Sunday in July. Exact dates will be confirmed by the UCI and ASO closer to the event, but historical patterns suggest a start date around July 24–26, 2027, with the race concluding eight days later.
For global fans eager to follow the race, live coverage will be available through broadcasters such as France Télévisions, NBC Sports (in the United States), and Discovery+ across Europe, with streaming options likely to expand as digital rights continue to evolve. In the UK, BBC Sport and TNT Sports are expected to retain their rights to highlight and live stages, respectively.
As the sport continues to grow, the 2027 Tour de France Femmes stands poised to become more than just a race — it could be a turning point. With a historic London start, the roar of Yorkshire crowds lining the hills, and the world watching, the race is set to pedal further into the spotlight than ever before.
Stay tuned to Archysport for updates as the official route is announced and as preparations unfold across Britain and France. What stage are you most excited to see? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
