Will the Tour de France Start in Berlin? The Left Wants to Examine the Costs

The Berlin Left Party does not categorically reject the possibility of Berlin hosting the start of the 2029 Tour de France, but wants to carefully examine the financial framework before considering any support. 

“Given Berlin’s generally difficult budgetary situation, we generally view costly major sporting events with caution. Should the issue come up during government negotiations, we will have to carefully examine whether there is actually room in the 2029 state budget for this,” said Claudia Engelmann, the party’s spokesperson on sports policy, to the German Press Agency.

Unlike the Tour de France start, The Left had rejected Berlin’s now-failed bid for the Olympics. The party won the House of Representatives election and, with its top candidate Elif Eralp, could provide the Governing Mayor in the future.

Tour Director Fuels German Hopes

Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme had recently raised hopes for a start in the east and highlighted the historical significance of a Grand Départ in Berlin, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia 40 years after the Peaceful Revolution and the fall of the Berlin Wall.

The Tour organizer, Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), will decide on the award. A decision is expected by early 2027. The so-called Grand Départ typically includes the team presentation and several days of racing. Plans call for a prologue in Berlin as well as three stages through Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, and Saxony. 

The Left Party: No Reliable Cost Estimate Yet

Neither the House of Representatives nor the Sports Committee has yet passed a resolution regarding the state’s participation, Engelmann said. Her caucus also has not yet received a reliable and transparent cost estimate. “From our perspective, the central question must always be whether these substantial funds are not more urgently needed for the renovation of our dilapidated sports facilities and the strengthening of everyday recreational sports in Berlin’s districts,” said the Left Party politician.