The FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix will feature a record number of participants in 2017, with 32 countries participating in the premier annual competition for women's national teams.
The FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix continues to expand in 2017 with 32 countries participating in the competition for the first time ever. Twenty-eight teams participated from 2014 to 2016. Eight teams participated in the competition's debut season in 1993 and from 1995 to 2002, while 12 teams were in action in 1994 and from 2003 to 2010. Sixteen teams were involved in the 2011 and 2012 editions and 20 in 2013.
The Preliminary Round will take place over three weeks including July 7-9, July 14-16 and July 21-23. The Group 3 Finals will follow from July 22 to 23 with the Group 2 Finals taking place from July 28 to 30 and the Group 1 Finals from August 2 to 6.
Only China and Japan have participated in all 24 editions to date. Brazil are the record title winners with a total of 18 victories to their name.
The format of the competition remains unchanged in 2017 with the 32 teams split into three groups (12 teams in Groups 1 and 2 and eight teams in Group 3). The best teams (four for Groups 2 and 3 and six for Group 1) will play the Finals in each group.