Tour de France 2028 to begin in Reims, France, with early June start due to LA Olympics

The 2028 Tour de France is set to commence in Reims, France, marking the first French Grand Départ since 2025. The race will begin earlier than usual, on 24 June, to accommodate the Los Angeles Olympics, which start on 14 July with the first road cycling event scheduled for 19 July. The early start means the Tour will also conclude sooner than normal, finishing on 16 July, approximately two weeks ahead of its traditional late-July finale. The initial stages will take place entirely within the Grand Est region, with the peloton passing through six host towns: Reims, Charleville Méziers, Épernay, Verdun, Metz, and Thionville. While the specific routes for each stage have yet to be revealed, the organisers have emphasised the region’s rich heritage and varied terrain, including the departments of Marne, Ardennes, Meuse, and Moselle. Details on the course are expected to be announced early next year. Reims holds a notable place in Tour history, having hosted the Grand Départ in 1956 and featured in the race route 20 times, most recently in 2019. The city’s return as a starting point will be seen as a homecoming following the 2026 Grand Départ in Edinburgh and the 2027 start in the UK and Spain. Other towns on the route, such as Metz and Épernay, also have historical significance, with Metz having been the first foreign city visited by the Tour in 1906. There was no mention of the Tour de France Femmes in the announcement, contrasting with the 2027 British Grand Départ, which will host both the men's and women's races. The women’s race will continue to have separate starts, with the 2028 edition likely following its own calendar. The scheduling adjustments for the 2028 Tour underline the ongoing challenge of coordinating major international sporting events, particularly in an Olympic year.