• Grand Départ Trophy passed from Barcelona to Great Britain on the Champs-Élysées following the final stage of the 2026 Tour de France
• Lizzie Deignan MBE and Sir Mark Cavendish receive the trophy on behalf of Great Britain, ahead of the 2027 Grands Départs
• Applications remain open for volunteer roles at next year’s race, with applications closing 1 September 2026
Great Britain has officially become the next host of the Tour de France, after the Grand Départ Trophy was presented in Paris following the final stage of this year’s race. The handover from Barcelona, host in 2026, confirms Britain as the next hosts of both the men’s and women’s Grands Départs in 2027 – the first time both have started from the same country outside France.
The trophy was presented on the Tour de France final podium on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, from this year’s Grand Départ hosts Barcelona, by Jaume Collboni, Mayor of Barcelona, and received by British cycling greats Lizzie Deignan MBE and Sir Mark Cavendish, with just under a year to go until Britain hosts what is set to be the largest free-to-watch sporting event in the nation’s history.
From Edinburgh to Cardiff, and Leeds to London, communities across the country are already preparing to welcome the world’s best riders, with millions of spectators expected to line the routes of the six stages in summer 2027.
The handover follows the recent confirmation of a free-to-air broadcast deal for the UK stages via Channel 5, meaning fans will be able to follow every moment from home as well as at the roadside.
It also comes as recruitment continues for the thousands of volunteers needed to deliver the 2027 Grands Départs. Applications are open now until 1 September, for anyone aged 16 and over, from all backgrounds and levels of experience, at letourgb.com/volunteer
Mark Cavendish said: “I built my whole career around Le Tour de France. It’s not simply a bike race, it’s an event that captivates everyone that both participates and spectates. A street party over many kilometres of colour, noise and speed.
“Having raced in 2007 and 2014 in the UK, I know first hand how amazing the British public are at Le Tour and can’t wait to see it on an even bigger scale with both races next year. Taking this trophy back to Britain tonight means a lot.”
Lizzie Deignan said: “Being on that podium in Paris and being handed that trophy was a really special moment.
“It still doesn’t feel real that in twelve months the Tour de France returns to Britain, with the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift racing on the roads I grew up riding in Yorkshire. It’ll be a big moment for the whole country, and I hope people come out to line those roads and experience the world’s biggest bike races in any way they can.”
Paul Bush, Managing Director, Grand Départ GB 2027, said: “As of now, Great Britain formally steps forward as the next host of the Tour de France – and we couldn’t be more excited and proud. Barcelona has set a brilliant standard this year, and now it’s our turn.
“For the first time in the race’s history, both the men’s and women’s Grands Départs will start in the same country outside of France, and that country is Britain. We are determined to make 2027 a moment the whole nation can be proud of.”
For more information on all of the stages, the JOY social impact programme, and to sign up for the Grand Départ GB newsletter for all of the latest news, visit letourgb.com
PICTURES: SWpix.com
