The 2017 edition of the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix will feature 32 countries competing for honours.
The 25th edition of the world’s premier annual women’s volleyball tournament will be held from July 7 to August 6, 2017, with the Group 1 Finals set to take place from August 2-6, 2017.
Continuing its expansion, the FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix 2017 will see a total of 32 teams participating in this year tournament.
The 32 teams have been split across three groups with 12 teams competing in group 1 and 2 and 8 teams in group 3.
Group one will see defending champions Brazil, world number 1 China, USA, Russia, Japan, Serbia, Italy, Turkey, Netherlands, Thailand, Belgium and newly promoted 2016 Group 2 winners Dominican Republic competing against each other. The Group 1 Preliminary Round will be played over three weekends in four-team pools, with the top five of the combined standings plus the Finals' hosts making it to the Final Six.
Argentina, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Germany, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Peru, Poland, Puerto Rico, plus 2016 Group 3 winners Croatia form the twelve-team Group 2. As for Group 1, Group 2 Preliminary Round will be played over three weekends in four-team pools, with the top 3 of the combined standings plus the Finals' hosts making it to the Final four.
Group 3 features Australia, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, Colombia, Hungary, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago.
The Group 3 Preliminary Round will be played in four-team pools over two weekends, followed by Final Four tournaments amongst the top three of the combined standings plus the Finals' hosts.