Barcelona to host Tour de France Grand Départ 2026, recalling 1957 historic race

Barcelona will be the starting point of the Tour de France 2026, with a team time‑trial on city streets and a hilly stage finishing in the Catalan capital. Organisers have highlighted viewing spots such as Montjuïc, the Olympic Stadium, the Sagrada Família and the seafront, offering fans a mix of racing action and iconic landmarks.

The city’s connection to the race dates back to 12 July 1957, when five‑time champion Jacques Anquetil rode the first Tour stage through Barcelona. Contemporary reports said around 30,000 spectators packed the Olympic Stadium and another 70,000 gathered on Montjuïc to watch the event, a moment still remembered in local cycling history.

The 2026 Grand Départ is expected to draw large crowds and boost tourism, echoing the enthusiasm of the 1957 visit while providing modern, free‑access viewing areas across the city.