The 2013 season of the World Volleyball League was the 24th edition of the competition. It started on June 7th and ended on July 21st. For the first time, 18 instead of the previous 16 teams took part. Russia won the title for the third time.
The preliminary round ("intercontinental round") was held in three groups of six teams each. In contrast to previous editions of the tournament, this year each team met each opponent only once, with the three teams with higher ranking in the world rankings having three home and two away games and the remaining two teams playing two home and three away games. All group winners and runners-up from group A and B as well as the host Argentina qualified for the final round. In the final round, the teams were divided into two groups of three and played “everyone against everyone”. The two best teams in each final group reached the semi-finals.
The number of wins was decisive for the placement after the group games. If the match was 3-0 or 3-1, there were three points for the winner and none for the loser. If the score was 3: 2, the winner received two points and the opponent one point. If two or more teams had the same number of wins, the order in the table was determined according to the following criteria: First, the number of points decided, in case of equality the quotient of the sets and finally the quotient of the ball points.
Canada
Netherlands
South Korea
Finland
Portugal
Japan
Italy
Russia
Brazil
Bulgaria
Argentina
Germany
Serbia
Iran
France
Poland
United States
Cuba