Kirkby, Merseyside, has been identified as a critical transit point on Stage Two of the 2027 Tour de France route after organisers confirmed the town will be on the approach to the stage finish. Stage Two of the men’s race will pass through Kirkby on Saturday, 3 July 2027, as riders head toward the planned finish on Liverpool’s waterfront.
The event is expected to bring a large influx of visitors and generate an estimated £15 million–£20 million for the local visitor economy. The Liverpool City Region says the race will showcase the area to a global audience; organisers have cited figures of up to 3.5 billion viewers for the Tour in broad publicity around the Grand Départ.
To prepare for the high-speed sprint, major roads such as the A506 (Valley Road) are expected to be closed for around 24–48 hours to allow for safety barriers and spectator zones. Local leaders at Knowsley Council are working to manage these closures, and the Kirkby Carnival Committee is in talks with the council about whether to align the Carnival with the race weekend to create a festival atmosphere.
Shop owners and traders at Kirkby Market are being encouraged to plan Tour-themed stalls for international and domestic visitors, though some traders have reported concerns about delivery access on the Friday and Saturday of the race. Merseytravel will manage significant bus diversions, while Culture Knowsley is focusing on the long-term cultural and economic opportunities the event could bring to the town centre.
The stage runs from Keswick through Lancashire and will enter Merseyside via parts of St Helens and Knowsley before culminating in a ‘super sprint’ finish along The Strand in Liverpool city centre. More street-level route details and maps have been published by local media and the organisers.
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