Matches were scheduled to be played at the stadium of the team named first on the date specified for each round, which was always a Saturday.
Some matches, however, might be rescheduled for other days if there were clashes with games for other competitions or the weather was inclement.
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.
The final two non-league sides in the competition proper, Leytonstone and Chesham United were given byes to this round as the champions and runners-up from the previous season's FA Amateur Cup.
The four quarter-final ties were scheduled to be played on 1 March 1969, although due to the late completion of Leicester City's fifth round tie, their match with Mansfield Town was not played until 8 March.
The match finished 1–0 to Manchester City who, behind West Ham United in 1975, are the second-last all-English team to win the FA Cup.