CONFIRMED: Tour de France 2027 leg to start in Welshpool!

The world’s biggest sporting event in terms of spectators is coming to Welshpool in 2027, in what has been described as a ‘once-in-a-generation opportunity’ for the town.

MyWelshpool speculated last September that organisers of the Tour de France were considering a Welsh leg and, at a bitterly cold Powis Castle tonight (Thursday), the historical landmark was lit up in yellow for the official confirmation.

The event’s Grand Depart will spend three days in the UK in 2027 before heading on to France.

After the opening stage from Edinburgh to Carlisle on Friday, July 2, the world's best cyclists head from Keswick to Liverpool before arriving in Welshpool on Sunday, July 4.

The stage will begin in the town centre outside the Town Hall, before heading 223km (139 miles) to Cardiff via Builth Wells, Brecon, Treorchy and Nelson.

Riders will also take on seven categorised climbs, including Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) as well as the Rhigos (Cote de Rhigos) and Caerphilly (Cote de Caerphilly) mountains.

It will then return to its homeland of France for the rest of the race.

Local officials were brimming with pride at tonight’s official announcement with the Town Mayor, Cllr Phil Owen, saying he was “absolutely thrilled”.

“This is the big one,” he said. “This is the Tour de France, one of the biggest sporting events in the world. We are absolutely thrilled to have it here. It is going to be great for the town.”

Powys County Council Leader Cllr Jake Berrimen said it was a “coup” to have secured it.

“It is going to be fantastic for us,” said Cllr Berrimen who explained that Powys County Council would be working closely with Visit Wales. “Just in terms of the visitor economy, the last time that this came to the UK to North Yorkshire, we are hearing stories that it added £100 million to the local economy.

“If we got a fraction of that it would be fantastic for the people of Powys. What a wonderful visitor attraction it will be just following this sport. It is one of the most watched sports in the world and what a coup we have got it here.”

Welshpool has previously hosted rounds of both the Tour of Britain’s men’s and women’s races.