The first in a series of public activations to celebrate the historic Grand Départ GB 2027 got underway in Edinburgh today, timed to coincide with the start of the 2026 Tour de France in Barcelona this weekend.
The activation, at Edinburgh Waverley railway station, marks exactly one year until the Tour de France departs the Scottish capital on Friday 2 July 2027 – the first time in the race’s history that it will have started in Scotland – with the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift following from Leeds on Friday 30 July 2027.
Edinburgh based professional cyclist Sean Flynn (Team Picnic PostNL), joined Stephen Flynn, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport from the Scottish Government; Cllr Stephen Jenkinson, Transport and Environment Convener from City of Edinburgh Council; and Rob Dickson, Director of Industry & Events at VisitScotland, who came together at Edinburgh Waverley railway station, where the public could participate in a Grand Départ GB promotion on Thursday (2 July) to mark the milestone.
The activation gives people a chance to find out more information on next year’s opening stage, and to discover how they can get involved, joining the 8,750 people who have already applied to play their part in the 2027 Grands Départs by being a JOY Maker. There will also be kid’s activities on offer, facilitated by members of the JOY social impact team.
Anyone who visits the activation can also find out more about the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift that will be hosted by Britain for the first time in summer 2027. As part of the year to go celebrations, Zwift are giving fans the chance to experience the platform and test their Zwift Ride smart bike. For those who are unable to attend in person, Zwift’s festivity of ‘Tour Fever’ will run from 6 July 6 to 16 August, featuring many of the key climbs from both 2026 races and a newly expanded Paris map.
Scottish Government Economy and Tourism Secretary Stephen Flynn said: “The excitement around the Tour de France Grand Départ coming to Scotland is really starting to build with the countdown to July 2027 starting now.
“We are delighted to be opening our doors to one of the world’s biggest sporting events and showcasing all that Scotland has to offer. Having the eyes of the world on Scotland can only be of benefit to the economy and bring a further boost to our tourism sector.
“Hopefully communities across Scotland will be able to engage with the 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ and even take part through the volunteer and social impact programme, to ensure we maximise the benefits of this incredible opportunity.”
To mark one year to go until the Tour de France Grand Départ arrives in Scotland, Clyde Cycle Park are hosting a free One Year To Go Open Day on Saturday 4 July (10am – 4pm) supported through the Tour de France Social Impact Programme. With activities for all ages and abilities, the free event is an opportunity for communities to get involved now and be part of the excitement as Scotland prepares to welcome the Tour de France in 2027.