The series also, for the second time, doubled as an Olympic qualifier.

Lower-ranked teams at each tournament play off for a Challenge Trophy.

The overall winner of the series was determined by points gained from the standings across all events in the season.

The "core teams" qualified to participate in all series events for the 2018–19 series were: One additional core team qualified through winning the 2018 Hong Kong Women's Sevens: The twelfth team in each tournament is allocated based on performance in the respective continental competitions within Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and the Americas.

There were six tournaments in 2018–19: Official standings for the 2018–19 series: Source: World Rugby Tallies of top four tournament placings during the 2018–19 series, by team: