The 2026 Tour de France, marking its 113th edition, will kick off on July 4, 2026, in Barcelona, Spain. This will be the first time the race starts in the Catalan capital. The opening weekend will include three stages, beginning with a 19.7 km team time trial starting at Parc del Fòrum and finishing at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium. The second stage will cover 178 km from Tarragona to Barcelona, with multiple ascents of Montjuïc Castle, while the third stage will take the riders from Granollers towards the French border, with a likely finish in Perpignan. The Grand Départ coincides with Barcelona's designation as the UNESCO World Capital of Architecture and the Year of Gaudí, adding a cultural dimension to the event.

The complete route will be revealed on October 23, 2025, but it is expected to include a mix of flat, hilly, and mountainous stages, with several summit finishes and individual time trials. The race will continue through the Pyrenees and the Alps before concluding in Paris on July 26, 2026. Barcelona’s emphasis on cycling, reflected in its 280 km bike lane network, underscores the city’s commitment to promoting sustainable transport, enhancing the cultural significance of the race’s start in the city.