Manchester United won the competition for the first time, beating Bristol City 1–0 in the final at Crystal Palace, through a goal from Sandy Turnbull.
If scores were level after 90 minutes had been played, a replay would take place at the stadium of the second-named team later the same week.
An extra preliminary round of seven ties, featuring 14 clubs from the north-west of England, was required at the beginning of this year's tournament to accommodate the growing popularity of association football in that region.
The 12 teams winning through to the competition proper from the fifth qualifying round were Gainsborough Trinity and Chesterfield from the Football League Second Division, along with non-league sides Carlisle United, Wrexham, Luton Town, Workington, Croydon Common, Hastings & St Leonards United, Lincoln City, Exeter City, Watford and Kettering.
Workington's success also meant that, for the first time, two clubs from Cumberland were featuring in the main FA Cup competition.
The final was played on 24 April 1909 at Crystal Palace, and was contested by Manchester United and Bristol City, both of the First Division.