Sport

The route for next year’s historic women’s Tour de France has been announced – and it all starts in Leeds

On yer bike

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 21st April 2026

The route for next year's women's historic Tour de France has been announced, with some of the best riders in the world set to begin the race from right here in Leeds.

Announced back in January, the 2027 Tour de France Femme avec Zwift will be making its British debut next year.

And this week, the full route has been revealed, which will all begin here in the race's host city of Leeds.

From here, riders will zip across through Yorkshire to Manchester, before turning back and heading down through the Peak District to Sheffield.

Around 230,000 people packed into the city centre to cheer the riders on their way during the Tour de France’s Grand Départ in 2014, with another two million spectators lining the rest of the race’s Yorkshire route. It's hoped that similar scenes will happen again this year.

It's yet another big coup for the region and Yorkshire's sporting scene.

Speaking with Manchester City Council earlier this week, Dame Sarah Storey joined many in celebrating another huge moment for us; the female Tour de France is not just back up and running, but aiming to become bigger than ever.

The Stockport-born swimmer turned Team GB cyclist and multi-Olympic gold medallist knows all about what makes this particular sport special, having swapped a previous and highly successful career for an entirely different discipline.

As has now been fully confirmed, the 2027 Grand Départ will be getting underway in Leeds, before heading through Yorkshire and on to our friends in Greater Manchester.

Spread across two incredible days, the race itself will finish in Sheffield, with another UK first happening down in London, as the capital will also host the inaugural team time trial held in this country.

You can see the official event's breakdown of what locations feature in which stages of 'The Big Loop' in more detail below.

Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: "We might be more than a year away from welcoming the Grand Départ of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift to Leeds, but there is already a good deal of excitement building around the event.

"Today’s route announcement will hopefully whet people’s appetites still further and get them thinking about where in the city they will be watching the race.

"We recognise that some residents and businesses will now have questions about how an occasion of this size could impact local communities on the day.

"They can be assured that we will be working hard alongside the race organisers to minimise any disruption and will also make every effort to keep people fully informed as plans for the event continue to take shape."

Read more: Where to watch the FA Cup semi-final in and around Leeds

Featured Images - Publicity pictures (supplied via Manchester City Council)

Sport

Where to watch the FA Cup semi-final in and around Leeds

Danny Jones Danny Jones Where to watch Leeds FA Cup final in and around city centre

With Leeds United and an army of supporters 'marching on together' to Wembley once more, this time in an FA Cup semi-final, the question for those who haven't grabbed a ticket is where to watch the game in and around the city centre.

Reaching the semis for the first time in 39 long years, even making it to this stage is already a moment to remember, but there's every chance they could battle their way to becoming the last two left in the world's oldest football competition.

Whatever happens in the penultimate knockout tie against Chelsea, you won't find many people in all of Yorkshire missing this match, and we're making certain that you pick the perfect spot to do so.

So, without further ado, here are 10 or so of the best places to watch Leeds United in the 2025/26 FA Cup semi-final this Sunday, 26 April:

The best bars and pubs to watch Leeds in around the city centre

1. The Brotherhood - Briggate

First up is the ever-reliable Brotherhood of Pursuits and Pastimes, which is not just handily located right in the heart of the city centre but practically has enough big screens to make sure nobody will struggle for a good view.

Promising plenty of room across multiple floors, not to mention an ideal matchday menu, you really can't go wrong. It does fill up fast for big games, though, so we'd reserve a table ASAP.

2. BOX - Leeds and Headingley

Another tried and tested sports bar, BOX was always going to be on the list. No matter whether the central Leeds location is on your doorstep, or their Headingley outpost works best for you, you're guaranteed a complete package.

Great cocktails and deals on drinks; a sharing-friendly menu made for matchdays, not to mention the rooftop bar that will prove perfect if this week's good weather holds, it's a no-brainer. It's also another one we'd recommend you book early to secure a seat.

box bar leeds city centre
box headingley
Credit: The Hoot

3. The Moot Hall Arms - Mill Hill

Next up, we couldn't go any further without mentioning the magnificent Moot Hall Arms, which might just be one of the best football pubs not just in the region but perhaps the entire country.

Not too far out from the train station, 'The Moot' is a go-to for most Whites who can't make it to away games and countless more who watch them on the telly every week. We hope its reputation speaks for itself, but in case you need a reminder...

@thehootleeds All Leeds aren’t we? ⚽️ #leeds #leedsunited #lufc #ellandroad #leedspubs ♬ I Predict A Riot - Kaiser Chiefs

4. 4TheFans Fan Park - O2 Academy Leeds

In at number four, rather fittingly, is the 4TheFans zone being set up specifically for this year's FA Cup semi (and hopefully the final) over at the O2 Academy.

Located in the heart of the city centre, these well-known sports promoters are experts when it comes to days like these, and we can guarantee Leeds fans will make this particular supporters' park box office.

https://thehootleeds.com/sponsored/4thefans-leeds-fa-cup-semi-final-fan-park/
Read more.

5. Green Room - Leeds city centre

Ok, onto Green Room, which is another spot with a great terrace perfect for springtime and what we hope is a joyful summer of sport ('it's coming home', and all that).

Local co-founder and owner, Will Habergham, isn't just trying to create Leeds' biggest run club, but he's also quietly making the venue one of the best for the very biggest events.

6. Beck and Call - Chapel Allerton

Our super six pick is the wonderful Beck and Call over in the Meanwood part of Chapel Allerton, which you'd be forgiven for simply thinking of as a classic, cosy local pub.

However, if you want a slightly less rowdy place to watch Leeds, we can wholeheartedly recommend spending the whole weekend here, to be honest.

beck and call chapel allerton
beck and call food menu leeds
Special shout-out to their excellent Sunday menu, too. (Credit: The Hoot)

7. The Original Oak - Headingley

Always a lively one, thanks to the regular crowds of uni punters, The Original Oak over in Headingley is both always a good option for watching live sport, but also one of the most affordable.

With super cheap student deals, in particular, not to mention a beer garden for pre- and post-match jubilations/commiseration, rest assured, this place is much more than just another stop on the Otley Run.

8. Woodside - Gateway North

Another increasingly popular venue for the big fixtures is Woodside over on Crown Point Road; based at the bottom of the Gateway North apartments, it's a stylish bar with great food and drink that are ideal for watchalongs and that 'Soccer Saturday/Super Sunday' vibe.

With pub quizzes, bar taps up for grabs, and even 50% off drinks available every now and again if you keep an eye on their Instagram - including when Leeds are winning - it simply has to be an option.

9. The Skyrack - Headingley

More Headingley/Otley-adjacent footy fodder here for you, as The Skyrack is an obvious choice for pubs and bars showing sports in and around Leeds.

It also happens to be THE place for any followers of grassroots women's football club, Leeds Hyde Park FC. You absolutely love to see it.

10. Rita's Beer Hall and Ballroom - City centre

Penultimately, Rita's has to be right up there on your list of the best places to watch Leeds United all year-round, let alone just for an important cup clash.

Big stage area that looks nailed on for a projector, plenty of TVs, darts, top-notch margaritas and much more, what more convincing do you need?

leeds pubs with darts
ritas beer hall ballroom
ritas leeds

13. Nation of Shopkeepers - City centre

Last but not least, what do you get when you combine hordes of Peacocks with A Nation of Shopkeepers? No, it's some kind of weird riddle, but it is kind of a rhetorical question, as we can assure you that this will be a great place to watch Daniel Farke's side.

Should his squad make it through to the final, and you don't happen to choose them this time around, you should definitely consider visiting them for the return trip to Wembley come the end of the season. Roll on the World Cup, too.

Honourable mention...

Salón Madre - City centre

Now, this one might be a surprise to some of you, but Leeds' newest Mexican bar and restaurant hasn't just landed in the city centre from Manchester, but they're also screening the game in one of their first full weekends of service over at their sister site: Salón.

How come? Because why the hell not? They've timed their Yorkshire debut pretty perfectly, if you ask us, as people are already flocking to try the tacos, tequila and sticking one of the biggest Leeds games in nearly four whole decades won't do them any harm whatsoever.

In fact, they're going to be showing all kinds of sport - and LOADS of it. See more down below.

Read more:

Featured Images — The Manc Group

Sport

A huge FA Cup semi-final fan park is opening in Leeds, with the biggest screen in the city 

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

An enormous fan park is set to open in Leeds this month, ahead of Leeds United's FA Cup semi-final clash against Chelsea. 

The Whites will be heading to Wembley on Sunday 26 April, but Leeds fans will be able to cheer them on in our home city too, thanks to this massive event from 4TheFans. 

4TheFans will be turning the O2 Academy Leeds into an immersive, dedicated Leeds United fan park experience for this historic day. 

Expect to watch all the action on the biggest screen in Leeds, plus there'll be world-class sound, a Sky Sports presenter, a fully-stocked bar, a dedicated 4TheFans presenter, DJs, and a genuine Leeds football legend providing analysis and banter. 

And every time the ball hits the back of the net, pyrotechnics and other special effects will only add to the atmosphere.

It's been 39 years since our beloved Leeds reached an FA Cup semi-final, and now Daniel Farke’s side are just 90 minutes away from a place in the FA Cup Final. 

Nearly 2000 fellow supporters will be able to come together under one roof in one of the city's most iconic venues, for what's shaping up to be the best atmosphere outside Wembley itself. 

This really is the best alternative to being at the actual match, with 4TheFans’ proven track record of creating atmospheric fan parks for major sporting events. 

A huge FA Cup semi-final fan park is opening in Leeds, with the biggest screen in the city 
A huge FA Cup semi-final fan park is opening in Leeds, with the biggest screen in the city 

And whether it ends in ecstasy or heartbreak, this is a match that Leeds fans need to see together. 

Hundreds of tickets have already been sold from pre-registration.  

General Admission tickets start at £7.50 and provide standing access to the entire fan park, while premium seated tickets start from £9.50 and secure a balcony seat with unobstructed views of the screens.  

This family event is for anyone over eight years old (under 14s must be accompanied by an adult on the balcony). 

The 4TheFans FA Cup semi-final fan park will be open at O2 Academy Leeds on Sunday 26 April, with doors open at 1pm ahead of a 3pm kick-off. 

Full ticket information is available HERE.

Come on Leeds - let's make history.  

Event details:

  • 4TheFans: Leeds v Chelsea — Emirates FA Cup Semi-Final
  • Sunday 26 April 2026
  • O2 Academy Leeds, 55 Cookridge Street, Leeds, LS2 3AW
  • Doors: 1pm | Last Entry: 2:30pm | Kick-off: 3pm | Event ends: 6pm
  • Leeds Fans Only | 8+ under 14’s must be accompanied by an adult | Valid ID required | Indoor venue

Ticket types:

  • General Admission — From £7.50 (standing)
  • Premium Seated — From £9.50 (balcony, first come, first served)
  • Accessibility tickets available — contact O2 Academy Leeds for details
  • Book now: www.4thefans.tv

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Featured image: Supplied

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