The final stage of the 2026 Tour de France takes place on Sunday 26 July, running from Thoiry in the Yvelines to the Champs-Elysees in Paris. The 21st and final stage concludes three weeks of racing and crowns the overall winner of the 2026 Tour.
What is the Tour de France Final Stage?
The final stage of the Tour de France is the traditional closing stage of cycling’s most prestigious Grand Tour. For decades it was a ceremonial procession into Paris with a sprint finish on the Champs-Elysees. Following the introduction of Montmartre into the route in 2025, the final stage is now a harder, more decisive day that can still shuffle the general classification in tight races.
The 2026 edition keeps the Montmartre format. Riders take on the Butte Montmartre three times via the Rue Lepic before entering the traditional Champs-Elysees circuit for the run-in to the finish line. The stage is still the day the yellow jersey is awarded, but it is no longer a guaranteed parade.
How the final stage works
The general classification is effectively settled by the start of the final stage in most years, meaning the overall winner is often determined by the time the riders leave the neutralised zone. However, bonuses and time gaps on Montmartre mean that any small time difference at the top of the standings can still be challenged. The stage winner is separately contested among opportunists and sprint teams, with the final kilometre on the Champs-Elysees typically producing a bunch sprint.
When is the Tour de France Final Stage?
The 2026 Tour de France final stage is held on Sunday 26 July 2026. Racing usually begins in the early afternoon local time, with the riders reaching Paris in the late afternoon. The finish on the Champs-Elysees is expected around 7:00pm Central European Summer Time. The Tour itself runs from 4 July, starting in Barcelona, through to 26 July.
Where is the Tour de France Final Stage?
The stage begins in Thoiry, a commune in the Yvelines department west of Paris, and finishes on the Champs-Elysees in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. The route takes in the Butte Montmartre, with three passages via the steep cobbled Rue Lepic past Sacre-Coeur, before entering the traditional Champs-Elysees circuit for the run-in to the finish. The total distance is expected to be around 135 kilometres.
Key Contenders
Tadej Pogacar enters the 2026 Tour as the dominant rider of his generation and the favourite for a fifth overall title. Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel and Primoz Roglic are among the main challengers. For the stage win itself, pure sprinters such as Jasper Philipsen, Tim Merlier and Mads Pedersen will be aiming to survive Montmartre and contest the final sprint, while puncheurs and attackers such as Julian Alaphilippe and Wout van Aert are well suited to the new harder finale.
The wearer of the yellow jersey on stage 20 traditionally raises a glass of champagne with their team in the opening kilometres before the racing proper begins, a ritual that has survived the change of finale.
How to Watch
In the United Kingdom, the final stage is broadcast live on ITV4 with free-to-air coverage, and on Eurosport and Discovery+ via subscription. In France, the stage is shown live on France Televisions (France 2) and Eurosport. In the United States, live coverage is available on NBC’s Peacock streaming service and highlights on NBC Sports channels. Globally, the Tour is distributed via ASO to more than 190 countries, with the Champs-Elysees finish always drawing one of the largest cycling audiences of the year.
History and Records
The Champs-Elysees has hosted the final stage of the Tour de France every year since 1975, when Bernard Thevenet was crowned champion on the famous avenue. For decades the stage was a ceremonial procession followed by a bunch sprint, producing some of the most iconic images in sport. Mark Cavendish holds the record for most stage wins on the Champs-Elysees and became the outright record holder for Tour stage wins in 2024. Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Lance Armstrong (since stripped) and Chris Froome have all worn the yellow jersey into Paris multiple times.
The 2025 edition was the first to include the Butte Montmartre finale, a change introduced to create a more dramatic closing day and to link to the cycling road race route used at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Tickets and Attendance
Spectating the final stage is free. Best viewing spots include the Champs-Elysees itself, the Place de la Concorde, the Rue de Rivoli and the Rue Lepic on Montmartre. Paid grandstand seating on the Champs-Elysees is available via ASO’s official hospitality partner, with packages including food, drink and elevated views over the finish line. Hotels with views of the finish sell out well in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 Tour de France Final Stage start?
The final stage takes place on Sunday 26 July 2026, with racing starting in the early afternoon and the finish on the Champs-Elysees expected around 7:00pm local time.
Where is the final stage held?
The stage runs from Thoiry in the Yvelines to the Champs-Elysees in Paris, via three climbs of the Butte Montmartre.
How can I watch the Tour de France final stage?
Live and free on ITV4 in the UK, on France 2 in France, on Peacock in the US, and on Eurosport and Discovery+ across Europe.
Who won the 2025 Tour de France?
Tadej Pogacar won the 2025 Tour de France, claiming his fourth overall title. Jonas Vingegaard finished second and Florian Lipowitz third.
Has the Champs-Elysees always been the Tour finish?
The Champs-Elysees has hosted the final stage every year since 1975, with Montmartre added to the finale from 2025 onwards.