The Tour de France is not just a cycling race – it’s a global sporting event with more than a century of tradition. Millions of fans around the world watch the race every year. The 2025 edition promises a breathtaking spectacle that combines top sporting performance, the beauty of the French countryside and an unforgettable atmosphere.
What makes the Tour de France so special? It’s the combination of history, physical demands, tactical strategies and unique moments where riders battle not only against their rivals but also against their own limits.
1. Date and location of the Tour de France 2025
- 🏁 S tart: 5 July 2025 – Lille, France
- 🎉 Destination: 27 July 2025 – Champs-Élysées, Paris
- 🚴♂️ Number of stages: 21 (without a single move outside France, which is an exception after years)
- 📏 Total length of the route: 3 320 km
The 2025 edition brings a unique route that includes challenging mountain climbs, flat sprints and technical time trials. The start in Lille brings a return to northern France after 23 long years, while the grand finale on the Champs-Élysées remains a tradition.
2. History and highlights of the Tour de France
1. The first year (1903)
The Tour de France was created by the newspaper “L’Auto” as a marketing ploy to increase sales. The first race had only six stages and the winner was Maurice Garin.
2. Yellow leotard
The symbol of the yellow jersey of the race leader was created in 1919. The yellow colour was chosen in honour of the newspaper “L’Auto”, whose pages were of the same colour.
3. The most difficult stage
One of the most challenging stages in history was a 482 km stage in 1924 that took over 18 hours!
4. Youngest winner
Tadej Pogačar, who won the yellow jersey in 2020 at the age of just 21.
5. Records at the Tour de France
Eddy Merckx, nicknamed “The Cannibal”, holds the record for the most Tour wins (5 times) and also for the most days spent in the yellow jersey (96 days).
3. The main stages of the Tour de France 2025.
The Tour de France 2025 offers a varied route that will test cyclists’ abilities in all directions.
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 (Lille): | A flat stage ideal for sprinters. The first yellow jersey will be within reach. |
| Stage 10: | Ennezat – Mont-Dore: The first mountain test with a difficult climb. |
| Stage 18: | Vif – Courchevel: Climb to the Col de la Loze, the highest point of the race (2 304 m). |
Each stage is specific in its character – from the sprinters’ flats to the brutal mountain climbs where the overall winner is decided.
4. How to watch Tour de France 2025 live around the world?
The Tour de France 2025 is one of the biggest sporting events of the year and will be available on many channels around the world. However, if you don’t have access to channels in your country, you can use a VPN to unblock broadcasts from other regions.
Here’s a complete list of broadcast stations and detailed instructions on how to watch the race using a VPN.
5. List of broadcasters: regions and channels
Europe
| Country | Channel |
|---|---|
| France | France Télévisions |
| Czech Republic | Eurosport, Czech Television |
| United Kingdom | ITV, S4C |
| Belgium | RTBF, VRT |
| Denmark | DKTV2 |
| Norway | TV2 Norway |
| Spain | RTVE |
| Ireland | TG4 |
| Italy | RAI |
| Luxembourg | RTL |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR |
| Austria | Servus TV |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF |
| Poland | TVP |
North America
| Country | Channel |
|---|---|
| USA | NBC Sports, Peacock |
| Canada | FloBikes |
South America
| Country | Channel |
|---|---|
| Colombia | Caracol TV, RCN |
| Ecuador | Teleamazon |
| Brazil | ESPN |
| Argentina | Claro Sports |
Asia and Oceania
| Country/Region | Channel |
|---|---|
| Australia | SBS |
| Japan | J Sports |
| India | Sony Liv |
| South Korea | Coupang Play |
| China | CCTV |
Africa and the Middle East
| Region | Channel |
|---|---|
| South Africa | SuperSport |
| Middle East | beIN Sports |
Global coverage
| Region | Channel |
|---|---|
| Central and South America | ESPN, Claro Sports, DirectTV |
If a stream isn’t available in your country, or you prefer to watch with a specific commentary (e.g. French or British), you can easily use a VPN to change your virtual location and access streams from other regions.
6. Why use a VPN?
- Unblock geo-restricted traffic: a VPN allows access to broadcast stations in other countries.
- Data encryption: your internet connection is securely encrypted.
- Transmission stability: a high-quality VPN minimizes delays and interruptions during viewing.
7. Steps to follow the Tour de France with a VPN
- Select a VPN service:
We recommend the following VPN services
– NordVPN: The fastest servers with the ability to unblock content.
– ExpressVPN: Exceptional stability and broad support for streaming services.
– Surfshark: Affordable option with unlimited connections. - Install the VPN and connect to the server:
- For France Télévisions: choose a server in France.
- For SBS: Connect to the server in Australia.
- For NBC Sports: use a server in the USA.
- Open the broadcasting platform:
- France Télévisions: free to viewers in France.
- Peacock (USA): requires a subscription but offers detailed race coverage.
- SBS (Australia): free for viewers in Australia.
- Start watching live: enjoy the race in the best quality without limits!
8. Tips for optimizing VPN tracking
- Choose the fastest server: VPN apps usually show the servers with the best speed.
- Use a wired connection: if possible, connect your device to the internet using a cable for greater stability.
- Check your subscription: some platforms, like Peacock or FloBikes, require registration and payment.
9. The Benefits of Watching the Tour de France with a VPN
- Access to all broadcasts: watch the race with different commentaries (e.g. British, French, Spanish).
- Security: a VPN protects your data from being tracked by third parties.
- Flexibility: allows you to watch the race on a variety of devices, including phones, tablets and smart TVs.
With the steps above, you’ll be ready to follow the Tour de France 2025 without restrictions, wherever you are in the world.
10. Tour de France 2025 favourites and teams
The main favourites of the Tour de France
- Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates): double winner and mountain stage expert.
- Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma): defending champion from 2024.
- Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick-Step): a young talent with ambitions for the yellow jersey.
Top Tour de France teams
- Jumbo-Visma: Favourites for the overall thanks to great facilities.
- Ineos Grenadiers: a team with a rich history on the Tour.
- Bora-Hansgrohe: Top quality and tactical skills.
11. Why watch the Tour de France?
The Tour de France 2025 is not only about racing, but also about celebrating cycling, nature and human endurance. It offers:
- Dramatic races: tension until the last day.
- Beautiful scenery: France in all its glory – from the Alps to Paris.
- Historic moments: every year writes new stories and records.
Conclusion: get ready for an unforgettable experience
No matter where you are, you can watch the Tour de France live from anywhere with a VPN. Get ready for three weeks of excitement as the winner of the world’s biggest bike race is decided on the roads of France.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I watch the Tour de France 2025 live?
You can watch the Tour de France 2025 on channels such as France Télévisions (France), Eurosport (Czech Republic), ITV (UK), NBC Sports (USA) or SBS (Australia). For a complete list of broadcasters, see the article.
How do I watch Tour de France 2025 with a VPN?
Simply download a VPN (we recommend NordVPN, Surfshark or ExpressVPN), connect to a server in the country where the broadcast is available (e.g. France for France Télévisions) and open the relevant streaming platform. See the article for detailed instructions.
Which stages of the Tour de France 2025 are the most interesting?
Highlights include stage 1 in Lille (flat, ideal for sprinters), stage 10 with the first significant climb and stage 18 with the ascent of the Col de la Loze, the highest point of the race (2,304m).
Who are the favourites of the Tour de France 2025?
Among the favourites are Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel. Strong teams such as Jumbo-Visma, UAE Team Emirates and Ineos Grenadiers will be looking for the win.
Is it possible to watch the Tour de France for free?
Yes, some channels, such as France Télévisions (France) or SBS (Australia), offer free broadcasts. If you’re outside of these countries, you can use a VPN to unblock their streams.
