However the full cost of bringing the world’s biggest cycle race to Scotland and how much public funding will be needed have not been disclosed.
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Councillors have raised concerns since discovering that the city’s contribution of £1.7m was secretly agreed by officials.
They have questioned whether any taxpayers’ money should be spent on the event and complained about a lack of detail about what impact the event will have on the city.
Edinburgh is set to play host to the Tour de France for the first time in 2027. (Image: Getty)
Councillors have also questioned proposals to meet the local authority’s contribution from money raised through the city’s new tourist, even though spending plans from the levy are not expected to be approved until later this year or early next year.
There was further controversy over a suggestion that the city would have to sign off an official agreement to host the event before it had been viewed and discussed by councillors.
Councillors were wrongly told that group leaders had backed Edinburgh’s hosting of the event during confidential discussions in October when they had only been asked to support the idea of council officials exploring proposals.
Britain has twice previously hosted the Grand Départ, in London in 2007 and in Yorkshire in 2014.
It was announced in March that the men’s race would be starting in Edinburgh, when Lord Provost Robert Aldridge declared that it would be an “exhilarating event for the city.”
However the council’s proposed £1.7m bill did not emerge until June when it was spotted buried in a report on authority’s annual accounts.
It is not clear what the council’s share of the overall costs is expected to be. Councillors have instead only been told that the UK and Scottish governments will also be contributing.
Councillors will finally be asked to give official approval for Edinburgh to host the Grand Départ later this month.
Although the proposed “host agreement” and a letter from the Scottish Government have been kept under wraps by the council, officials said the city’s contribution would be “capped” at £1.7m.
The report, from director of place Gareth Barwell, states: “The maximum financial contribution from the Council to host the Grand Départ has been agreed at £1.7m. This maximum contribution is fixed.
“Any additional costs will be underwritten by the Scottish Government.
“The event will be funded through a combination of public and private investment, with contributions from the UK Government, devolved governments and commercial partnerships.
“A proposal to meet the council’s contribution from revenue generated from the Edinburgh visitor levy receipts will be considered as part of the investment proposals to be submitted to executive committees later in 2025/early in 2026.
“However, recognising that the Council has not yet approved the visitor levy Investment programme and that at least some of the expenditure will be incurred before the visitor levy income is received, financial provision for £1.7m has been made in the council’s reserves.
“Like any major event, the council’s regulatory and public safety services will be required to play a core role in supporting the event and ensuring its safe delivery.
“These costs have been identified as a value in kind contribution from the council, are non-recoverable and are contained within existing officer costs.”
The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.
At the time Edinburgh was confirmed as the host of the Grand Départ, First Minister John Swinney said: “It is a tremendous honour to welcome the Tour de France to Scotland.
“We know it is one of the most iconic and inspiring contests in sport, and that Scotland provides the perfect stage for major events.
“Hosting the Tour de France promises to be a unique opportunity to showcase our country to its many fans around the world.”
Angus Robertson, the Scottish Government’s culture and external affairs secretary, added: “The 2027 Tour de France will bring huge excitement and opportunity that previous Grand Départs have brought, and undoubtedly build on this success and further inspire even more two-wheeled activity across Scotland as well as deliver major economic and tourism advantages.”
