Another Spanish Grand Depart? Report suggests that Barcelona will host start of 2026 Tour de France

The Tour de France is one of the most internationally recognized and important sporting events and so, many countries and cities negotiate to try and bring the event to their roads. Spain - more precisely the Basque Country - just hosted a very popular start to the Tour in 2023, and the peloton may be back in Spain in 2026 and Barcelona takes the lead!

This would not come as a surprise, as Barcelona - the capital of the region of Catalunya, is only 150 kilometers away from the French border. The city already hosts every year the finale of the Volta a Catalunya with it's very popular Alto de Montjuic; and has hosted the start of the Vuelta a España this past season. With the experience, geographical advantages, population and love for cycling all taken into consideration; the city has made the bid to host the Tour de France.

The race has most recently been in the city back in 2009, where it hosted the finale and start of two consecutive stages. However it has never hosted a Grand Depart - which in Spain, only happened twice, in the Basque cities of San Sebastián and Bilbao. Gazzetta dello Sport reports that 2026 could be the year where the next step is taken.

This year the race will start in Florence, Italy; whilst the northern French city of Lille and the Hauts-de-France region has already been confirmed to host the start of the 2025 edition. It will not take too long until the decision is made on the 2026 start.