2016 in AKB48 Group

The following is a list of events and releases that have happened, or are expected to happen in 2016 from the AKB48 Group.

Due to SNH48's departure from the AKB48 Group in June 2016, only events prior to the split are featured below.

Members

January 10: Team NIII is formed for the first time with 16 members.
March 30: Team TII is formed for the first time with 10 members.
April 20: SNH48 announces BEJ48 (based in Beijing) and GNZ48 (based in Guangzhou) as two new sister groups in China.
June 9: SNH48 leaves the AKB48 Group due to management and contract violations.
June 28: Iwata Momoka, Umeyama Cocona, Kojima Karin, Shimizu Rika, Jonishi Rei, Nakagawa Mion, Mizuta Shiori, Mizokawa Mirai, Yamada Suzu, and Yamamoto Ayaka join NMB48 as 5th Generation Kenkyuusei.
July 12: Unjo Hirona, Oda Ayaka, Otoshima Risa, Sakai Moeka, Shimizu Rio, Takeda Tomoka, Jitoe Nene, Tsukiashi Amane, Toyonaga Aki, Matsumoto Hinata, and Miyazaki Sono join HKT48 as 4th Generation Kenkyuusei.
November 19: Atsumi Ayaha, Ishikawa Saki, Ishiguro Yuzuki, Inoue Ruka, Oshiba Rinka, Okada Miku, Kawai Anna, Kitagawa Yoshino, Kurashima Ami, Kobayashi Kano, Sakamoto Marin, Sato Kaho, Shirayuki Kohaku, Nakamura Izumi, Nonogaki Miki, Nomura Miyo, Fukai Negai, Morihira Riko, and Yahagi Yukina join SKE48 as 8th Generation Kenkyuusei.
December 8: Asai Nanami, Inagaki Kaori, Umemoto Izumi, Kurosu Haruka, Sato Minami, Shoji Nagisa, Suzuki Kurumi, Taguchi Manaka, Taya Misaki, Nagatomo Ayami, Noguchi Nanami, Harima Nanami, Homma Mai, Maeda Ayaka, Michieda Saki, Muto Orin, Yasuda Kana, Yamauchi Mizuki, and Yamane Suzuha join AKB48 as 16th Generation Kenkyuusei.

February 10: Hiwatashi Yui is promoted to Team A.
March 30: Aramaki Misaki, Imamura Maria, Kurihara Sae, Sakamoto Erena, Tsutsui Riko, Hokazono Hazuki, Matsuoka Hana, Murakawa Bibian, Yamauchi Yuna, and Yamashita Emiri are promoted to Team TII.
August 25: Hori Shion is promoted to Team M.
November 20:
- Isshiki Rena, Kamimura Ayuka, and Machi Otoha are promoted to Team S.
- Ota Ayaka and Mizuno Airi are promoted to Team KII.
- Asai Yuka, Suenaga Oka, and Takahata Yuki are promoted to Team E.

March 31: Umeda Ayaka, Kobayashi Kana, and Miyazawa Sae graduate from their respective groups. They are the last AKB48 2nd Generation and original Team K members to leave the AKB48 Group.
April 8: Takahashi Minami graduates from AKB48.
May 1: Takajo Aki and Nagao Mariya graduate from AKB48. Takajo is the last 6th Generation member to leave the group.
July 21: Otoshima Risa is dismissed from HKT48. Until 2019, she had the shortest tenure in the AKB48 Group.
July 31: Anai Chihiro graduates from HKT48.
August 9: Watanabe Miyuki graduates from NMB48.
August 31: Shibata Aya graduates from SKE48.
December 31: Shimazaki Haruka graduates from AKB48.