The organizers of the Tour de France have officially confirmed that the city of Metz will host a stage during the 2028 edition of the world’s most prestigious cycling race. The announcement solidifies the route for the 115th edition of the Grande Boucle, which is scheduled to begin with a Grand Départ in Reims before moving through the historic landscapes of the Grand Est region.
For Metz, the inclusion marks a significant return to the cycling elite. The city has a long-standing relationship with the Tour, having first appeared on the route in 1907. However, it has been absent from the race calendar since July 2012, when the peloton last swept through its streets. The 2028 stage is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of spectators to the Lorraine region, highlighting both the athletic rigour of the competitors and the architectural heritage of the city.
A Historic Return to the Lorraine Region
The return of the Tour de France to Metz is more than a mere sporting fixture; it is a nod to the city’s deep-rooted cycling history. Since its first appearance over a century ago, Metz has frequently served as a strategic point for the race as it traverses the eastern borders of France. The 2012 visit remains a point of reference for fans, famously featuring a stage finish where a young Peter Sagan secured a victory, cementing his status as a rising star in the sport.
By securing a spot in the 2028 itinerary, Metz joins a select group of French cities that have managed to maintain a century-long connection with the event. Local officials view this as a validation of the city’s attractiveness and its ability to manage the complex logistics required for an event of this scale. The Tour is globally recognized as one of the most-watched sporting events, offering unparalleled international exposure for the territories it crosses.
Metz as an Emerging International Sports Hub
The selection of Metz for 2028 is the latest in a series of high-profile sporting successes for the city. In recent years, the municipality has aggressively pursued a strategy to host major national and international events to boost its global profile. This momentum was notably visible during the summer of 2024, when Metz hosted the Olympic Flame relay ahead of the Paris Games, culminating in a massive public celebration at the Place de la République.
Beyond the Olympics, the city has successfully staged the French Gymnastics Championships in 2022 and the Judo Championships in 2023. Looking ahead, Metz is also slated to host the French Canoe-Kayak Championships in 2026. The 2028 Tour de France stage is viewed as the pinnacle of this multi-year effort to establish the city as a premier destination for competitive sports and large-scale public gatherings.
Infrastructure and the Growth of Cycling Culture
While the professional race brings the world’s fastest riders to the city, the 2028 stage also reflects a broader shift in local urban policy. Metz has seen a concerted effort to develop cycling infrastructure, promoting the bicycle not just as a tool for elite sport, but as a primary mode of daily transport and leisure.
The expansion of dedicated cycle lanes and the promotion of sustainable mobility have been key factors in the city’s successful bid. For British cycling enthusiasts planning to follow the race, Metz offers a particularly accessible destination. Located in the heart of the Grand Est, the city is well-connected by high-speed rail links, making it a viable stop for international fans looking to experience the atmosphere of the Tour without the logistical hurdles of more remote mountain stages.
As the 2028 race approaches, further details regarding the specific route of the Metz stage and the logistical arrangements for fans are expected to be released by the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO). For now, the city is preparing to once again take its place on the global stage, celebrating a sport that remains a cornerstone of French cultural identity.
Source: Ville de Metz
Source check Official Announcement
This report is based on the official announcement from the City of Metz regarding its selection for the 2028 Tour de France.
- Confirmed the 2028 Grand Départ location in Reims via ASO records.
- Verified the historical dates of the Tour de France visits to Metz (1907 and 2012).
- Cross-referenced recent sporting events in Metz including the 2024 Olympic Flame relay.
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- metz
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- Metz, France
- Updated
- 2026-05-19 12:08
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