[2] Taking inspiration from the Grand Prix series established in 1994, the FIG Executive Committee made the decision to revive the World Cup in 1999 as a series of tournament which served as qualification stages, over the course of two years, for a World Cup Final event.

The different stages, sometimes referred to as World Cup qualifiers, mostly served the purpose to award points for individual gymnasts and groups according to their placement.

These points would be added up after a period of two years in order to qualify a limited number of athletes for the biennial World Cup Final event.

The current format of the World Cup divides the tournament in a series of events staged annually.

In each of the stages, the top three gymnasts or groups in each apparatus, as well as in the all-around competition, are awarded medals and prize money.

The individual gymnast (or group) with the highest number of points in each apparatus (or each routine) is then declared the winner of the World Cup series.

A separate ranking also defines the winners in each apparatus (or each routine) of the World Challenge Cup series.

The top 3 gymnasts or groups in each apparatus at the qualifier events would receive medals and prize money.

Results from the 1999 and 2001 World Championships, events that counted points for the ranking in their respective years, have not been taken into account.