It began on 29 November 2002 at Rukatunturi in Kuusamo, Finland, and finished on 23 March 2003 at Letalnica bratov Gorišek in Planica, Slovenia.

[1] The defending World Cup champion from the previous two seasons was Adam Małysz, who continued his success by winning the overall title for a third time,[2] as well as his second Nordic Tournament.

[3] Sven Hannawald placed second as he did in the previous season, with Andreas Widhölzl in third.

Janne Ahonen won the Four Hills Tournament for a second time.

[5] On the ski flying hill in Planica, Matti Hautamäki set three consecutive world records – 227.5,[6] 228.5[7] and 231 metres[8] – in a span of four days, becoming the first ski jumper to officially break the 230 m barrier.