'Supporting Catalunya's independence in front of millions of viewers' – Planned protests mean Tour de France start in Barcelona could face disruption

Pro-independence groups in Catalonia are planning significant demonstrations during the 2026 Tour de France, which will commence in Barcelona. The Catalan National Assembly (Assemblea) and Òmnium Cultural have announced coordinated actions along the race route to promote Catalonia’s independence cause. While the protests are expected to be highly visible, the organisers have emphasised that they do not intend to disrupt the race itself, instead aiming to use the global platform provided by the Tour to highlight their political message. The Tour’s opening stages in Catalonia will feature a time trial in Barcelona on 4 July, followed by a stage between Tarragona and Barcelona, and then a departure from Granollers. Assemblea and Òmnium Cultural are collaborating with other regional groups to mobilise hundreds of volunteers to display Estelada flags, banners, and pro-independence slogans at key points along the route. They are also running a crowdfunding campaign to finance the production of large-format flags and banners, targeting areas with the greatest television exposure and public attendance. The Catalan independence movement has deep historical roots, dating back to the 19th century cultural revival known as the Renaixença. It has persisted through periods of repression, including under Franco’s regime, and more recent political turmoil such as the 2017 independence referendum, which led to the Spanish government dissolving the Catalan parliament. Current polling suggests a divided public opinion, with just over 40% supporting independence and a slight majority opposed. Assemblea and Òmnium Cultural have a history of staging protests at major cycling events in the region, including the Volta a Catalunya and the Vuelta a España. Their planned actions for the Tour de France build on these previous demonstrations but are distinct from last year’s pro-Palestine protests that actively interrupted races. Instead, the focus is on peaceful, highly visible civic mobilisation designed to capture the attention of millions of international viewers. The upcoming Tour de France stages in Catalonia thus represent not only a major sporting event but also a significant opportunity for political expression. The pro-independence groups are calling on local citizens to participate actively, hoping to leverage the global audience to renew international awareness and support for Catalonia’s independence aspirations. The success and scale of these demonstrations could influence both the perception of the Tour and the wider political discourse surrounding Catalan autonomy.