After years of striving, Bilbao is set to host the world’s most iconic cycling race this weekend: the Tour de France. The countdown began in March 2021, when the Basque Government and Bilbao’s City Council reached an agreement with ASO, the event’s organizer. The world watches as streets are already turning the race’s signature yellow, signaling the long-awaited start.
Relating to
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Favorites winning the 2023 Tour de France
The tour demands meticulous planning, and the city is preparing to welcome it in the best possible way. Local officials describe it as the greatest event, noting that the race requires years of work, not a single moment of glory. The plan emphasizes sports, culture and business opportunities alike.
Negotiations to bring the Grande Boucle began in 2016, when the council invited the Tour de France general manager, Christian Prudhomme, to experience a stage of the Vuelta a España that passes through town. Those talks bore fruit this weekend, with the race starting beneath the San Mamés stadium on Saturday, July 1.
Cycling enthusiasts and residents who want to soak up the ambiance will have a chance this Thursday to attend an official team presentation on Paseo Abandoibarra, between the Euskalduna Palace and the Guggenheim Museum.
Window of a store in the center of Bilbao. Efe
Great economic impact
The push to host an event of this scale required a substantial effort from Basque institutions, culminating in a 12 million euro investment. Official data show a distribution of roughly one third from the Basque Government and Bilbao City Council, with Vizcaya Provincial Council contributing a similar share. The remainder came from Guipúzcoa, Álava and nearby municipalities, spreading benefits across about half of the Basque provinces. This event is seen as both sporting and social, with wide geographic reach.
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With the investment now in place, attention turns to returns. Initial projections suggest a multi-million euro impact, consistent with experiences in recent Grande Boucle departures outside France. Early estimates point to a return of several euros for every euro invested, reflecting a strong expectation of hospitality growth and regional business activity. The tourism sector is poised for a boost as fans, teams, sponsors, security staff and journalists converge, bringing activity to hundreds of hotels and venues across Bilbao and nearby cities. Coverage to nearly 190 countries ensures global visibility for the Basque Country and its landscapes.
Hotel staff and local hospitality workers are preparing for intensive demand from visiting teams, sponsors, and media. Accredited journalists will broadcast the event to a global audience, while tens of thousands of visitors will explore the Basque Country over the first three stages.
Bilbao’s streets and venues are ready to welcome the Tour with a vibrant, festive atmosphere, underscoring the city’s embrace of cycling culture and international events. Efe
Israel Muñoz, CEO of Hotel Tayco, notes that the weekend is nearly sold out and that two restaurants are already anticipating higher customer volumes. A spokesman for Vincci Consulate Hotel adds that travel groups from Belgium, France, the Netherlands and other Central European countries are driving strong advance bookings.
Local hotel operators anticipate a favorable period, though there is cautious optimism within the hospitality sector about the broader implications for bars and restaurants. The Vizcaya Hospitality Association points to positive indicators in lodging while acknowledging some uncertainty about ancillary impacts across the city.
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City businesses recognize the potential for broader economic ripples, but there is a realistic sense that mobility restrictions and event logistics will shape experiences on the ground. Local business owners are coordinating with travel partners to manage orders and supply chains during the busy weekend, and some operators anticipate temporary disruptions in certain neighborhoods as street closures are implemented.
Bilbao on international map
Beyond the immediate economic effects, the event is viewed as a platform to showcase Bilbao on the global stage. Aerial footage and live broadcasts will highlight Basque landscapes and urban charm to viewers in nearly 200 countries, ranking the Tour among the world’s most watched sporting events alongside the Olympics and the World Cup. The city aims to leverage this moment to attract future conventions, sporting events and tourism opportunities.
“It’s more than work these days,”
Felix Parte, a local businessman, emphasizes that the aim is to place Bilbao on the world map. He notes the event’s broader media and advertising value and believes the city can benefit long after the finish line. Muñiz adds that Bilbao is becoming a trusted host for major events, a trend that could boost tourism and business for years to come.
García-Loygorri views this date as a chance to gauge the city’s capacity to host large-scale events and to grow the tourism sector, depending on how the route and crowds unfold.
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Logistics and planning remain critical. The 110th edition will mark only the second start of the race south of the Pyrenees since 1992, raising questions about mobility, accommodation and supply chains. The scale of the operation requires careful coordination to minimize disruption for residents while maximizing the economic benefits for hospitality workers, suppliers and venues. Local industry leaders warn that while benefits will arrive, some districts may experience temporary constraints as security and traffic management unfold. The city continues to prepare for a weekend of movement, energy and celebration.
Bilbao and its environs are ready to welcome the Tour with color and enthusiasm. The yellow glow that fills the streets signals a historic moment for Basque cycling and for the city’s broader cultural and economic landscape. The countdown has reached its final days, and the weekend promises a blend of sport, commerce and community spirit that Bilbao hopes to sustain well beyond the finish line.