The 1988–89 Football League Cup (known as the Littlewoods Challenge Cup for sponsorship reasons) was the 29th season of the Football League Cup, a knockout competition for England's top 92 football clubs.
The competition started on 29 August 1988 and ended with the final on 9 April 1989.
The final was contested by First Division teams Nottingham Forest and holders Luton Town at Wembley Stadium in London.
Nottingham Forest, flying high in the First Division, had a narrow victory over Third Division underdogs Bristol City in the semi-finals, while holders Luton Town enjoyed a comfortable triumph over West Ham United in both legs.