Russian Mariya Lasitskene, competing as an Authorised Neutral Athlete, led the field of thirteen women that year through her clearance of 2.04 m (6 ft 8+1⁄4 in) at the Stalingrad Cup.

American Vashti Cunningham returned to defend her title and 2017 World runner-up, Yuliya Levchenko of Ukraine, also entered the event.

She then cleared the following height of 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in), which none of the other athletes managed to achieve, becoming world indoor champion for a second time.

Alessia Trost of Italy edged out Great Britain's Morgan Lake on countback to win the bronze medal – her first at senior world level.

Lasitskene ended the competition on her own, clearing 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) before three failed attempts at a personal best and the championship record of Stefka Kostadinova (unbeaten since 1987).