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.
What stays the same
- Six WGP tournaments over two years
- 20 participants
- Each player takes part in three tournaments
- All tournaments are 10-player round robins
- Qualification for the Women’s Candidates still goes to the top two players in the overall WGP standings
Why the change matters
By shifting one qualification spot from rating lists to event results, FIDE aims to encourage greater participation in women’s events, reward recent performance over established rating, and increase opportunities for rising players who may not yet be among the top-rated.
The proposed regulations keep the familiar WGP format, but place greater emphasis on results achieved over the board. With one additional spot linked to performance in Women’s Events, the qualification system becomes more dynamic and opens the door for a broader group of players to enter the series.
Full regulations of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2026-2027 can be found [HERE]