By Emily Goddard

The Ariake Coliseum was a sell out when Japan hosted South Korea in the FIVB World Grand Prix 2011 preliminary round ©FIVBMarch 7 - Tokyo, Koszalin and Samokov have today been revealed as the host cities of the 2014 International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) World Grand Prix Finals.

This year's Grand Prix, due to take place from July 25 to August 24, will be the biggest yet, with 28 teams split into the three groups - each with their own final following three weekends of preliminary round action.

Group one - comprising defending champions, London 2012 Olympic champions and world number one team Brazil, United States, hosts Japan, China, Russia, Italy, Serbia, Dominican Republic, Germany, South Korea, Turkey and Thailand - will head to Tokyo's 10,000-capacity Ariake Coliseum, which has hosted World Grand Prix and World League matches over the last seven years, for their competition.

This final will feature six teams - the four best from the preliminary round, hosts Japan and the winner of the final four from Group two.

World number one team Brazil will be looking to defend their World Grand Prix title in Tokyo ©Getty ImagesWorld number one team Brazil will be looking to defend their World Grand Prix title in Tokyo ©Getty Images


Group two - consisting of hosts Poland, Peru, Puerto Rico, the Netherlands, Argentina, Canada, Cuba and Belgium - will compete at the Koszalin Sports Hall, with the final four consisting of the three best teams from the preliminaries as well as Poland.

Meanwhile, Group three - which features Kenya, Algeria, Kazakhstan, Croatia, Czech Republic, Mexico, hosts Bulgaria and Australia - will face off at Arena Samokov.

As with Group two, the Group three final four will include the best three teams along with Bulgaria.

The 28 teams have been split into the three groups based on their world ranking, with the exceptions of Belgium and Cuba who had qualified through continental tournaments, and Australia who participate as part of an Oceania development programme.

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