Cumbria has set out its ambitions to turn the global spotlight of the 2027 Tour de France into long-term economic gains, as it promoted a range of major development projects at a national investment conference. 

Leaders from across the county attended UKREiiF in Leeds in May, using the event to highlight schemes worth hundreds of millions of pounds and to attract interest from developers and investors. 

A cycling-themed event featuring Sir Bradley Wiggins formed part of the programme, offering an opportunity to engage potential partners while drawing attention to Cumbria’s role as a future host of the world-famous race.

The search is now underway for thousands of volunteers to help bring one of the world’s biggest sporting events to life, as applications open for the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Grand Départs in summer 2027. 

Cumberland is set to take centre stage when the Grand Départs arrives in 2027. Carlisle will host the finish of Stage One on Friday 2 July, as riders travel from the race’s opening in Edinburgh, while Keswick will host the start of Stage Two on Saturday 3 July. The route will then travel through the Lake District, giving local communities a unique opportunity to be part of this globally recognised event. 

Around 9,000 volunteers are being recruited across Scotland, England and Wales to play a key role in the event. Known as ‘JOY Makers’, these volunteers will be at the heart of the races, helping to create a welcoming atmosphere for spectators, supporting event logistics and ensuring everything runs smoothly across all six stages. 

Applications are now open for anyone interested in getting involved, with opportunities available across all six stages of the event. Registrations opened on Wednesday 27 May and will remain open until Tuesday 1 September 2026. 

This is a unique opportunity to be part of a historic event and to help put Cumberland at the centre of one of the world’s most iconic sporting occasions. 

To find out more and apply, visit www.letourgb.com/volunteer.

The opportunity to design official posters for the historic 2027 Grand Départs of the Tour de France is now available for art, design and creative students studying in the Cumberland Council area. 

The poster competition has been launched as part of the Grand Départ GB’s JOY social impact programme. 

Students enrolled on art, design, graphics, creative and photography courses at further and higher education institutions across the local authority areas hosting each of the six stages - including the Cumberland Council area - can enter a competition that will ultimately select the official poster for the 2027 edition of each race. 

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will showcase the skills of UK-based designers at the world’s biggest annual sporting spectacle, when it comes to Britain in July 2027, marking the first occasion that both races have begun from the same country outside of France.  

Used across the entire event, the artworks will be seen by millions, both on the roadside and worldwide, with the artwork being used by race organisers the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) across promotional materials, digital advertising and much more, making for an incredible opportunity for two students to truly go global with their work. 

The competition is open until 5pm on Friday 26 June 2026. Full details, including terms and conditions and how to enter, are available at www.letourgb.com/poster-competition  

This landmark event will bring a global audience to the area and showcase Cumberland’s places and communities on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages.

Find out more about what to expect and how to get involved on the Tour de France Grand Départs website.