This season operations shifted to New England with the elected committee represented by John Clark of Pawtucket as president, Joseph Brady of the East Ends as vice president, John F. Geagan of the Rovers as Secretary, and Ephraim Mayes of the Olympics as Treasurer.

The first round draw took place at the AFA meeting at the Wilbur House in Fall River, Massachusetts on August 21, 1892.

The second round draw took place at the AFA meeting in the St. Charles Hotel in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on November 19, 1892.

The New York Thistles, the previous year's runner up, entered the final undefeated in the season with 17 wins and two tie games, boasting 123 goals scored and 15 against.

The Pawtucket Free Wanderers, along with making their first American Cup final appearance, had won the New England League three weeks prior, finishing in first ahead of the East Ends, Olympics, Rovers, and Clippers of Fall River and the New Bedford Rovers.