Women’s Grand Prix 2026-2027

[Mick Norris]

FIDE

The Women’s Grand Prix series returns in 2026 with changes in qualification paths. While the overall structure of the series stays the same – 20 players, six tournaments and each participant playing three events – one important change affects how players qualify.

Compared to the 2024–2025 cycle, the number of rating-based qualification places has been reduced from four to three.

The freed spot has been reassigned to the “2024–2025 Women’s Events” quota. According to the FIDE Global Strategy Commission, this adjustment strengthens the role of sporting performance. Instead of relying mainly on rating lists, the system will now reward players who actively compete and achieve strong results in official women’s events.

Here’s a look at the new qualification format and the players who have already secured their spots:

Both FIDE Women’s World Championship Match 2025 participants: GM Ju Wenjun and GM Tan Zhongyi
Top-2 finishers at the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix Series 2024-25: GM Zhu Jiner and GM Aleksandra Goryachkina.
FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 semifinalists: GM Divya Deshmukh, GM Humpy Koneru and GM Lei Tingjie.
Top-3 finishers at the FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss 2025: GM Vaishali R, GM Kateryna Lagno, GM Bibissara Assaubayeva.
Highest-placed at the FIDE Women’s Events 2024-25 cycle: the highest ranked player, excluding those who have qualified for WGP Series by other paths.
3 spots allocated based on the Standard Rating in the April 2026 FIDE Rating List
6 spots for players nominated by Organisers of WGP tournaments: one player per each of the six WGP tournament Organiser.