The conference will take place from 25-28 May 2027 in Matsuyama, the picturesque capital of Ehime Prefecture located in northwest Shikoku. Ehime Prefecture's exceptional bid demonstrated strong motivation and enthusiasm to spread the "Velo-city spirit" to the entire country and beyond. The 2027 edition will be jointly organised by Ehime Prefecture and ECF.
Governor of Ehime Prefecture, Tokihiro Nakamura, said, “As a first for Japan, I would like to say that I am extremely honored to have Ehime Prefecture be chosen to host Velo-city. This honor will greatly contribute to improving the cycling environment in Japan and thus in Asia at large, as hosting the world's biggest cycling event here in Japan will also help people learn more about the cycling policies that are being created in Europe. Bicycles are not only a sustainable means of transportation but are also a wonderful way to build health, create a sense of purpose in life and form new friendships. In taking this opportunity to hold Velo-city, I hope that we can further help create an environment in which bicycles can be ridden by more people, with more safety, and with more comfort.”
"We are honoured and delighted to work with Ehime on the 2027 edition of our annual conference," stated Jill Warren, CEO of ECF. "Ehime is an exceptional example of a region that leverages the many benefits of cycling as an inclusive, resilient, and healthy means of transportation while contributing to broader goals such as achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We believe that Ehime and Japan can be a source of great inspiration for many cities and countries in making cycling safe and accessible, and we believe many of our Velo-citizens will be very interested in exploring Ehime through participation in the 2027 event."