Up to the last 16 of the competition, the cup was run in three regions (northern, central, and southern), with an open draw from the quarter-finals on. National League teams received a bye until the third round (last 64). In all, 130 teams took part in the competition. Note: Different sources give different numberings for the rounds of the competition. Some record six rounds prior to the quarter-finals; others note a preliminary round followed by five rounds proper.
In an early round of the competition, Norwest United were thrashed 21-0 by Metro - a competition record which still stands. It was equalled in 2005, when Central United scored 21 - again against the unfortunate Norwest United.
Central United easily won the 1998 final, beating Dunedin Technical 5-0.
The Jack Batty Memorial Cup is awarded to the player adjudged to have made to most positive impact in the Chatham Cup final. The winner of the 1998 Jack Batty Memorial Cup was Terry Torrens, team captain of Central United.
