On 22 May 2018, Charlton Athletic announced its first confirmed friendly taking place ahead of the 2018–19 season would be against Welling United at Park View Road.

[50] On 29 May the first home friendly was announced which would see Brighton & Hove Albion visit The Valley on 24 July 2018.

[52] On 27 June 2018 it was announced that a behind-closed door friendly between Queens Park Rangers and Charlton Athletic would take place on 7 July at QPR's Harlington training ground.

Source: [citation needed] The first round draw was made live on BBC by Dennis Wise and Dion Dublin on 22 October.

[55] The draw for the second round was made live on BBC and BT by Mark Schwarzer and Glenn Murray on 12 November.