Wigan cycling fans can enjoy Tour de France 2027 as Grand Depart is held in Great Britain

Organisers have announced that the Grand Departs for both the Tour de Frances and Tour de France Femmes avec Swift will be held in Great Britain next year.

It will be the first time the two races have started in the same country other than France.

The 2027 Tour de France will head through Carlisle, Keswick, Liverpool and Welshpool after starting out in Edinburgh next July, before finishing in Cardiff.

The second stage – a 223km leg starting in Keswick on July 3 – will take the cyclists on the Cote de Parbold climb and continue through Up Holland and Crank towards Liverpool.

Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield and London have been confirmed as start or finish locations for the Tour de France Femmes.

The Government has announced £32m of funding to support the Grand Départs and their legacy, while staging the races is forecast to deliver more than £150m in economic benefits to the UK.

Wigan MP and culture secretary Lisa Nandy said: “These races will unite the nations and show off the best of Britain, putting the spotlight on the beauty of our countryside and taking world-class cycling into the hearts of our vibrant towns and cities.

“We want to give people reason to feel proud of where they live and make sure the economic benefits of hosting these events are felt right across the country, from the Scottish borders to the Welsh valleys, from the Lake District, to Liverpool, London and Leeds.”

Hosting the Tour de France Femmes Grand Départ will be an historic first for the UK and the first time the race has ever started outside mainland Europe.

Sports minister Stephanie Peacock said: "We want to establish the UK as the world leader in women’s sport and hosting the Tour de France Femmes for the very first time is proof of that ambition.

“We want to break down barriers for girls all over the country – whether that’s riding their bike at the local park or becoming the next Emma Finucane, Katie Archibald or Lizzie Deignan.”