The IRB Sevens World Series has been run by the International Rugby Board since 1999–2000.

At the time, the schedule included a new event to be held in La Plata, Argentina.

All 12 core teams from 2011–12 retained their status, with three more being elevated as top finishers in a 12-team qualifying tournament conducted as part of the 2012 Hong Kong Sevens.

The 2012–13 core teams are:[2][3] For the first time, the IRB instituted a formal promotion and relegation process for core team status in the Sevens World Series, replacing the former ad hoc process.

The top 12 core teams in the season table after the next-to-last round of the series in Glasgow retained their status for 2013–14.