Tour de France could be on its way to Wales in 2026

The UK Government has confirmed it is making up to £30 million of funding available to try to bring the the 2026 Tour de France Grand Depart to the UK as part of its “levelling-up” agenda.

The money will also be allocated to assist the RFU’s bid to host the 2025 Rugby World Cup for women in England.

If the bid for the world’s most famous cycle race is successful the Tour could be coming to Wales for the first time, with England and Scotland also hosting stages.

The Tour de France last visited the UK in 2014, with the opening two stages in Yorkshire, and stage three running from Cambridge to London.

London also hosted the Grand Départ in 2007 and the race visited Britain in 1974 and then in 1994.

The Welsh Government failed in a bid to bring the race to Wales in 2017.

“I’m excited at the prospect of bringing more world-class sporting events to the UK. That’s why I’m backing these British bids, with over £40m of funding to make our case,” Chancellor Rishi Sunak said.

“Our bids will include events taking place across the country, and I’m hopeful that everyone will get a chance to cheer on their sporting heroes.”

Showpiece

“We’re delighted to be supporting the UK Government’s bid to bring the sport’s showpiece event back to these shores in 2026,” British Cycling CEO Brian Facer added.

“We now look forward to working alongside the UK Government, devolved administrations and UK Sport to deliver a compelling vision for the 2026 Grand Depart, which aligns with the event organiser Amaury Sport Organisation’s aspirations and builds on our proud track record of hosting the sport’s biggest global event.”

Research on the 2014 Grand Départ, carried out on behalf of British Cycling, estimated the event generated approximately £130 million for the host region economies and was watched at the roadside by 3.5m people.