Grand Départ in the East: Federal Government Approves Millions in Aid

The federal government has approved funding to support Germany’s efforts to host a potential Grand Départ of the 2029 Tour de France in the eastern part of the country. As announced by the Bundestag, the Budget Committee approved five million euros for the project for the coming year.

The funds are allocated in the budget of State Minister of Sports Ronald Rauhe. However, this is part of a multi-year funding program. In addition, commitment appropriations totaling seven million euros have been allocated for the coming fiscal years. Recent reports indicated that a potential start could incur total costs of up to 25 million euros.

The association “Grand Départ Allemagne” called this an “important step.” “The members of the Budget Committee have thus done everything
necessary to ensure that the next steps can follow,” the association stated in its press release. For further discussions with Tour organizer Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), the bid requires binding financial commitments from the states as well as guarantees regarding security and police operations. 

Decision in early 2027

The historical significance of this milestone—marking 40 years since the peaceful revolution and the fall of the Berlin Wall—is intended to make a start in Germany appealing to the French organizers at ASO. ASO is expected to make a decision on the award in early 2027. Prague and Slovenia are being discussed as competitors.

Most recently, the German efforts of “Grand Départ Allemagne,” which is affiliated with the German Cycling Federation, had gained momentum. At a meeting in Berlin in late July, Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme met with the participating state premiers of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia, as well as Berlin’s Governing Mayor, and the bid was officially submitted. 

For the so-called Grand Départ—the start of the Tour—a kickoff in Berlin and three stages through Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, and Saxony are under consideration. The most recent of the four Tour de France starts in Germany to date took place in Düsseldorf in 2017.