A total of 18 national teams will compete in 9 cities across the globe over the 3-week Preliminary Phase. One leg of preliminary matches is scheduled each week, and 5 days of matches among 6 national teams will be held in each leg, equalling a total of 108 matches in the 3-week Preliminary Phase.

The top seven teams as per the Teams Ranking System at the end of the Preliminary Phase will advance to the quarterfinals of the Final Phase (the national team of the hosting territory of the event will have a guaranteed berth to the Final Phase). The winning teams will then enter the semi-finals by direct elimination. The winning teams of the semi-finals will then compete in the finals for the champion title of the FIVB Women’s Volleyball Nations League .