The 1988–89 season of the European Cup Winners' Cup was won for the third time by Barcelona in the final against Italian entrants Sampdoria.

The two sides would meet again in the 1992 European Cup Final, which Barcelona also won.

Wimbledon did not participate due to UEFA's five-year ban on English clubs from European competition.

The defending champions Mechelen were eliminated in the semi-finals by eventual runners-up Sampdoria.

Cardiff City won 4–0 on aggregate.

Carl Zeiss Jena won 5–1 on aggregate.

3–3 on aggregate; Sredets Sofia won 4–3 on penalties.