Fourteen teams competed from August, 1988 until May, 1989 for the Stones Bitter Championship, Premiership Trophy and Silk Cut Challenge Cup.

Wigan beat Salford 22–17 to win the Lancashire County Cup, and Leeds beat Castleford 33–12 to win the Yorkshire County Cup.

Wigan defeated St. Helens 27-0 in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium before a crowd of 78,000.

[1] Ellery Hanley, Wigan's loose forward, was awarded the Lance Todd Trophy for his man-of-the-match performance.

[2] This was the first time a side had been held scoreless in a Challenge Cup final.