Leeds residents invited to volunteer for Grand Départ
People in Leeds can now register to volunteer at one of the city’s biggest sporting events of the decade, as organisers begin recruiting JOY Makers for the 2027 Grand Départ of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
Applications are open from Wednesday, May 27, 2026, until Tuesday, September 1, 2026. Anyone aged 16 or over can apply, and previous volunteering experience is not required.
The Leeds stage will open the first ever visit to Britain by the world’s biggest women’s professional cycle race. The volunteer programme will support all three stages of the women’s Grand Départ, as well as the men’s Tour de France Grand Départ in the UK earlier in the summer.
Who can apply to become a JOY Maker
Organisers are looking for part of a 9,000-strong volunteer team across the 2027 Grand Départs. The roles are officially called JOY Makers, linked to the JOY social impact programme running alongside the races.
The basic eligibility is straightforward:
| Detail | What residents need to know |
|---|---|
| Application window | May 27 to September 1, 2026 |
| Minimum age | 16 or over |
| Experience needed | No previous volunteering experience required |
| Event focus | Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift and men’s Tour de France Grand Départs |
| Leeds race date | Friday, July 30, 2027 |
The programme is open to people who already volunteer regularly, cycling fans, and residents who simply want to help the city host a major public event.
Volunteer roles will cover spectators and event support
JOY Makers will receive training before taking up their roles. The source notice lists duties including event operations support and spectator engagement, meaning volunteers are likely to help the public move through event areas, support the smooth running of race-day activity, and provide a visible welcome on the route.
For younger volunteers, the programme includes an added career element. Applicants aged 18 to 25 will be eligible for the Readiness to Work scheme, which is set to offer employability skills training and career-focused mentoring across multiple sectors.
The social impact programme is designed to leave benefits beyond race day, with organisers linking it to community connection, health and wellbeing, and personal development.
The Leeds route will start on the Headrow
The Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift stage in Leeds is scheduled for Friday, July 30, 2027. Riders will start on the Headrow, complete a partial loop of the city centre, then head towards Headingley.
The route will pass Headingley Stadium before moving down to Kirkstall and towards Bramley. From there, riders will travel south through Gamble Hill and Farnley, then west to Drighlington before crossing into Kirklees and continuing over the Pennines to Manchester.
Full road details, temporary closures and traffic restrictions have not yet been published. Leeds City Council says engagement with residents and businesses is due to begin this summer, with Leeds-specific updates available through a dedicated Visit Leeds mailing list.
Three stages will take the race from Leeds to London
The women’s Grand Départ will run across three stages in 2027. Stage one goes from Leeds to Manchester on July 30. Stage two runs from Manchester to Sheffield on July 31. The final stage finishes in London on August 1.
The men’s Tour de France Grand Départ will take place earlier in the summer, from July 2 to July 4, with riders setting out from Edinburgh and visiting cities including Carlisle, Liverpool and Cardiff.
Leeds will become the first place outside mainland Europe to host the start of stage one of a Grand Départ for both the men’s Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
Why the volunteer call matters in Leeds
The city has recent experience of what a Grand Départ can bring. In 2014, around 230,000 people gathered in Leeds city centre for the men’s Tour de France start, with another two million spectators lining the wider Yorkshire route.
A report by Leeds City Council and UK Sport found that the 2014 Grand Départ boosted Yorkshire’s economy by more than £100m, with longer-term gains expected through tourism, profile and trade activity.
Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said the volunteer call showed that the 2027 visit would be “an occasion for the whole city to enjoy”. British Cycling’s Tracy Power, who is leading JOY, said everyone is welcome as a JOY Maker, whether they are regular cyclists or completely new to the sport.
Source: Leeds City Council
Source check Source trail
This article is based on the Leeds City Council notice announcing the 2027 Grand Départ volunteer recruitment drive.
- Confirmed the application window as May 27 to September 1, 2026.
- Checked eligibility against the stated minimum age of 16 and no experience requirement.
- Matched the Leeds route points named in the source, including the Headrow, Headingley, Kir...
- Separated confirmed road information from closures and restrictions still due to be announ...
- Source
- Leeds City Council
- Scope
- Leeds
- Updated
- 2026-05-27 11:14
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