Andy Devaney
The Grand Départ is officially rolling into Britain in 2027—only this time, it’s going to be bigger than ever. Both the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes, Avec Zwift, will launch from UK soil, marking the first time in history that the two races have begun in the same country outside of France. If that doesn’t get the Union Jack flapping, nothing will.
To make sure this historic Grand Départ doesn’t skid into a pothole of red tape, a new vehicle has been built—literally in name. Grand Départ GB 2027, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), has been formed to oversee delivery of the races and manage public funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government, and UK Sport.
A new powerhouse for UK events
This isn’t just about two races and a bit of bunting. Grand Départ GB 2027 is a joint venture between British Cycling and UKEL, a brand-new, independent, not-for-profit company designed to safeguard the UK’s ability to stage global sporting events. Think of it as the pit crew making sure Britain can not only win the bid but also deliver world-class events without blowing a gasket.
Chris Brindley, former Chair of Rugby League World Cup 2021 and current Chair of the Northern Ireland Football League, will act as Chair of the Grand Départ GB 2027 Board. He’ll be flanked by a heavyweight crew: Paul Williamson, Michelle Dite, Tove Okunniwa and Frank Slevin—each bringing decades of experience from both inside and outside sport.
At the same time, UKEL itself is getting off the start line with serious horsepower. Its board will be chaired by Alys Carlton, the current Chair of the Football Association of Wales and a corporate lawyer with two decades of battle-hardened experience. She’ll be joined by Brindley, Steve Elworthy—Chief Executive of Surrey County Cricket Club and the man behind the 2017 and 2019 Cricket World Cups—and Esther Britten from UK Sport, who will serve as an observer.
Voices from the top
Chris Brindley, Acting Chair of Grand Départ GB 2027 and UKEL Board Member, pulled no punches: “Today marks a significant milestone in the delivery of the Grand Départ of both the Tour De France and Tour De France Femmes, Avec Zwift in 2027. I am delighted that we have such a strong and experienced team in place to drive forward this historic and unique event which has such huge potential to unite and inspire people right across the country.
“Today also heralds a new era for event delivery in the UK with the establishment of UKEL Ltd which will be critical to enabling major sporting events to be held in the UK over the coming years and, crucially, will ensure those events deliver a more extensive positive impact on UK communities.”
What it means for Britain
For spectators, it means the UK will host the biggest free-to-watch sporting event in its history. For the industry, it signals a new way of doing business—one designed to keep Britain competitive in the international events market.
UKEL’s remit goes beyond this Grand Départ, providing expertise, resources and talent retention to help national governing bodies secure major events in years to come.
And for everyone else? It’s an excuse to line the streets, cheer like mad, and watch some of the world’s best athletes turn Britain’s roads into the greatest theatre of endurance sport.
Find out more about the Grand Départ 2027 at www.letourgb.com.
