Tour de France

Community engagement  

To help support our residents and businesses to find out more about the 2027 Tour de France and maximise the benefits we plan on engaging with communities along the route between now and July 2027. 

Our initial drop-in engagement events will take place on 18 and 19 May 2026 at the following locations: 

• Newcastleton 
  • Monday 18 May, 10.30am-12noon 
  • Newcastleton Community Centre 
• Hawick 
  • Monday 18 May, 1.30pm-3pm 
  • Hawick Town Hall 
• Innerleithen 
  • Tuesday 19 May, 9.30am-11am 
  • Innerleithen Memorial Hall 
• Galashiels 
  • Tuesday 19 May, 12.30pm-2.15pm 
  • Galashiels Academy – Inspire Room 
• Melrose 
  • Tuesday 19 May, 2.45pm-4.15pm 
  • Melrose Corn Exchange 

Further engagement events will take place. 

Economic and social benefits  

Yorkshire experience 

In 2014 Yorkshire hosted the first and second stages of the Tour de France, attracting 2.5m spectators along the roadside. 

Overnight visitor stays five years after the event showed a 50% increase compared to 2013, with the region having attracted worldwide attention through its success in hosting the race. 

Additional investment into cycling infrastructure and new cycling events also followed. 

A legacy for the Scottish Borders

We will invest up to £583,500 to host the 2027 Tour de France, with external funding support being sought to reduce our overall contribution. The Scottish Government has invested more than £9million to bring the event to Scotland for the first time. 

It is estimated that there will be a huge return on our investment and a valuable long-term legacy, including: 

• Cementing our reputation as Scotland’s leading cycling destination 
• Significant visitor numbers in 2027 and for many years after 
• Increased spending with local businesses, both around the event and in future years 
• New business and event opportunities capitalising on the event’s legacy 
• More people inspired to take up or get back into cycling 
• New volunteer experience in our communities 
• Positive community experience and social impact 

Traffic management

The Tour de France operates under full road closures, which can extend over many hours. This is in the interests of spectator and rider safety and also allows the iconic ‘publicity caravane’ to precede the race, providing handouts and entertainment for the spectators along the route. 

It is anticipated that closures of around five hours will be in place along the race route itself on Friday 2 July 2027. Access will be maintained for emergency vehicles. 

Adjacent streets and diversion routes may also have restrictions in place to manage safe and efficient travel for spectators, local residents and businesses. 

Pedestrian and cycle access along the route will be permitted within a specific window. 

It is anticipated that further detailed route information and traffic and parking restrictions will be available in the autumn. 

We would encourage residents and businesses on the route to plan ahead as much as possible and prepare for disruption to access and deliveries etc. 

Community event sites 

We are aiming to deliver a number of community event sites in locations along the route. 

These will be focused on communities where spectators are likely to gather in large numbers and will provide entertainment and activities throughout race day. 

More details will be provided when our plans are finalised. 

How to get involved

Spectating

This will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the world’s biggest cycle race in the Scottish Borders, so don’t miss it. 

There will be spectating opportunities right along the route, with additional activities and events in many communities. 

The Tour de France is renowned for the incredible atmosphere along the route, and we’d love to see as many of you as possible at the roadside. 

Volunteering

If you want to get directly involved in helping deliver the 2027 Tour de France in the Scottish Borders there will be various volunteering opportunities available on race day. 

Please see the official Le Tour GB website to sign up for information on the volunteer programme once it is launched. 

Business information

There will be many business opportunities in the lead up to the event, on the day itself and following it, due to the significant visitor numbers to the area and the volume of spectators expected across the route. 

This includes opportunities for: 

• Existing overnight accommodation providers  
• Pop-up campsites to be established 
• Spectator parking provision
• Special offers to increase footfall 
• Window dressing and other displays to attract attention and footfall 

Guidance on branding

Please note that Tour de France branding usage is very strictly managed and policed by the event organisers ASO. 

Businesses must not make use of the Tour de France logo for any reason.