Tour de France 2014 Grand Départ

In July 2014, Yorkshire played host to one of the most iconic sporting events in the world – the Tour de France Grand Départ. For only the second time in its long history, the Tour began in England, drawing massive global attention. GL events UK was proud to be at the heart of this global event, tasked with designing and delivering a cutting-edge temporary media hub that would serve as the base for international press and broadcasters.

The opening weekend of the Tour de France isn’t just about cycling – it’s a global media spectacle. Over 2,000 journalists, photographers, and camera crews descended on Yorkshire to cover the event, supported by 85 international TV channels broadcasting to 190 countries, with a combined audience of more than 3 billion viewers. 

To meet the scale of the moment, the Tour organisers required a purpose-built media village that could house: 

• Live broadcast operations 
• International press offices 
• Race management teams 
• Sponsor and merchandising facilities 
• Over 800 branded race vehicles 

GL events UK was selected to make it all happen.

The project site at Welling Place was far from straightforward. A mixture of car park and rough waste ground, the terrain posed significant challenges. Uneven levels across the site meant we had to engineer bespoke solutions to ensure every marquee and structure was safely and securely installed. 

Working to tight timescales the team had just five days to build the entire 5,400sqm facility. Our marquee experts were able to transform the bare ground to a fully operational media village in under a week! 

It required close coordination between our logistics, construction, and design teams. From the moment boots hit the ground, every hour counted.

Our scope included several major bespoke structures, each tailored to specific functions within the media ecosystem of the Tour: 

• Telecoms Building (20m x 50m): The tech hub powering global broadcasts and live feeds. 
• Press Office (25m x 50m): A spacious and comfortable working environment for international journalists. 
• Organisers’ Office (20m x 65m): The command centre for race coordinators and event staff. 
• Clothing & Merchandise Pavilion (20m x 35m): Retail and activation space for sponsors and official apparel. 
• Additional Infrastructure: Walkways, entrances, sanitation facilities, and other support structures rounded out the site, ensuring a smooth and professional experience for everyone on location. 

Despite the tight timeline and complex site conditions, GL events UK delivered a fully functional, high-spec media village that met – and exceeded – expectations. 

Feedback from journalists and broadcasters was overwhelmingly positive, praising the accessibility, design, and functionality of the facilities. The project was a resounding success and played a critical role in supporting the global coverage of one of the world’s most-watched sporting events. 

The Tour de France Grand Départ in Yorkshire wasn’t just a proud moment for British sport – it was also a showcase of what’s possible when expert planning meets flawless execution.

Hero image from Leeds City Council