Tour de France 2027 to Race Through Blackburn and Darwen

Blackburn with Darwen will welcome the world-famous Tour de France on Saturday 3 July 2027, as riders travel through Blackburn, Tockholes and Belmont during the 223km second stage from Keswick to Liverpool. The historic event will give residents the opportunity to watch elite international cycling for free.

Blackburn with Darwen is preparing to take centre stage in one of the world's biggest sporting events after organisers confirmed that the Tour de France will race through the borough on Saturday 3 July 2027.

The announcement follows the official unveiling of the 2027 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Grand Départ routes at a special event in Paris.

Britain will become the first country outside France to host the opening stages of both the men's and women's races in the same year.

The men's Tour de France will begin in Edinburgh on Friday 2 July, before heading south through Cumbria and Lancashire on its way towards Liverpool.

Tour de France route through Blackburn with Darwen

The second stage of the men's race will take place on Saturday 3 July, covering 223 kilometres between Keswick and Liverpool.

After travelling through the Lake District and into Lancashire, riders will enter Blackburn with Darwen at Brownhill.

They will then follow a route through some of the borough's best-known locations.

The confirmed local route

  1. Brownhill

  2. Whalley New Road

  3. Blackburn town centre, passing Blackburn Cathedral and Wainwright Bridge

  4. Turn before Ewood Park onto Livesey Branch Road

  5. Heys Lane

  6. Tockholes

  7. Belmont

  8. Rivington Road and the Côte de Belmont climb

The route will provide opportunities for spectators to see professional cyclists racing through town centre streets, residential areas and the surrounding countryside.

Belmont to host King of the Mountains sprint

One of the most anticipated moments of the Lancashire section will come as riders tackle the climb at the Côte de Belmont.

The ascent will feature a King of the Mountains sprint, adding a competitive element to the race as cyclists battle for points in the mountains classification.

The climb is expected to be a major attraction for cycling enthusiasts hoping to experience the atmosphere of the Tour de France.

Council welcomes historic opportunity

Councillor Quesir Mahmood, Deputy Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and Executive Member for Growth and Development, welcomed the announcement.

He said:

"What a proud moment for our borough and Lancashire to be included in one of the largest sporting events in the world."

He described the event as an opportunity to showcase the borough's towns and villages, attract visitors and inspire a new generation of cyclists.

Councillor Mahmood added:

"We're looking forward to making the very most of this incredible opportunity – the Tour de France can expect a very warm Northern welcome in 2027."

Residents can watch for free

The council has confirmed that spectators will be able to watch the race pass through Blackburn with Darwen without paying an admission fee.

This will allow families and cycling enthusiasts to experience an international sporting event in their own communities.

Councillor Mahmood said:

"Importantly, all of our residents will be able to enjoy this iconic event for free, watching world-class cycling right here in our borough."

Council teams are already preparing for the event, with further information about local arrangements and opportunities for residents and businesses to participate expected to be announced.

Yorkshire and Manchester to host women's Tour

The 2027 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will also bring international cycling to Northern England.

The women's race will begin in Leeds on Friday 30 July, with the opening stage finishing in Manchester.

The second stage, on Saturday 31 July, will travel from Manchester to Sheffield.

The third stage will take place in London on Sunday 1 August, featuring an 18km team time trial.

The London course will start at Whitehall and finish on The Mall, passing landmarks including the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral and Trafalgar Square.

Full UK Grand Départ routes

Date

Race

Stage

Friday 2 July 2027

Men's Tour

Edinburgh to Carlisle

Saturday 3 July 2027

Men's Tour

Keswick to Liverpool, via Blackburn with Darwen

Sunday 4 July 2027

Men's Tour

Welshpool to Cardiff

Friday 30 July 2027

Women's Tour

Leeds to Manchester

Saturday 31 July 2027

Women's Tour

Manchester to Sheffield

Sunday 1 August 2027

Women's Tour

London team time trial

Live television coverage confirmed

All six UK Grand Départ stages will be broadcast live on Channel 5, with coverage also available through TNT Sports.

TNT Sports will broadcast the entirety of the 2027 race.

The event will also be supported by JOY, a national programme designed to tackle physical inactivity and improve mental wellbeing.

British Cycling has already recruited thousands of volunteers to help deliver the event.

A major moment for Blackburn with Darwen

The council hopes the Tour de France will bring significant attention to the borough, showcasing its landmarks, countryside and communities to an international audience.

With the route now confirmed, preparations will continue ahead of the race.

Councillor Mahmood said:

"3 July 2027 is a date for all our diaries: it promises to be a real moment in history."

Source: Blackburn with Darwen Council, official announcement.

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