64 teams contested, beginning on 18 August 2018 with the first of two preliminary rounds and ending on 5 May 2019 at the final played at De Kuip in Rotterdam.

Feyenoord from the Eredivisie beat AZ 3–0 in the final in the previous season on 30 April 2018.

Ajax contested in the 2019 Johan Cruyff Shield against PSV Eindhoven.

The draw for the preliminary rounds were performed by Ridgeciano Haps on 7 July 2018 and was streamed live on the website of the KNVB.

The participants are semi-finalists from the district cup tournaments, and teams from the Derde Divisie.