Projection Mapping England, York Minster Show

THE GRAND DEPART ANNOUNCEMENT

Leeds Civic Hall

We helped Leeds mark its place on the global sporting stage – setting the tone for what promises to be a historic Grand Départ in 2027.
We turned the façade of Leeds Civic Hall into a striking projection canvas, showcasing a dynamic visual narrative that celebrated previous British Grand Départs.

See it in action

HOW WE DID IT

Transforming The City’s Civic Heart

Earlier this year, we were proud to deliver a large-scale projection and light experience at Leeds Civic Hall as part of the landmark announcement of the UK Grand Départs for the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift 2027. Designed to capture both the heritage and future of one of the world’s most iconic sporting events, the installation transformed the city’s civic heart into a powerful stage for storytelling. Set against the backdrop of a high-profile announcement event attended by key figures from sport and government, the experience needed to resonate both with invited audiences and the wider public, creating a sense of occasion that reflected the global significance of the moment.

Bring a century of cycling history to life

Working closely with stakeholders, we turned the façade of Leeds Civic Hall into a striking projection canvas, showcasing a dynamic visual narrative that celebrated previous British Grand Départs while unveiling the newly announced 2027 routes. A bespoke highlight film, narrated by Olympic medallist Lizzie Deignan, brought over a century of cycling history to life, connecting audiences with the scale, emotion and legacy of the Tour. Carefully choreographed content combined archival references, contemporary visuals and bold graphic moments, ensuring the story unfolded with clarity and impact. The experience culminated in the reveal of bold, 15-metre Tour de France logos, anchoring the moment in a strong and memorable visual identity that could be clearly read across the square.

‘Tour de Skies’

Extending beyond projection, signature yellow beams – synonymous with the Tour – were beamed into the night sky above Millennium Square, creating a unifying visual moment across the city centre. Visible from multiple vantage points, these beams acted as both a beacon and a visual anchor, drawing people towards the event and expanding its reach beyond the immediate audience. This ‘Tour de Skies’ effect reinforced the national significance of the announcement, contributing to a shared sense of anticipation across multiple UK locations and connecting Leeds to a wider network of host cities.

Power of Projection

The result was a compelling public spectacle that stopped passersby in their tracks and brought together invited guests and the wider public in a moment of collective excitement. By combining impactful projection mapping with atmospheric lighting, we helped Leeds mark its place on the global sporting stage once again – setting the tone for what promises to be a historic Grand Départ in 2027. Beyond the immediate impact, the installation also demonstrated the power of projection and light as tools for placemaking, capable of transforming familiar architecture into something extraordinary while creating lasting impressions for audiences both on-site and through wider media coverage.