The participants of the 2019 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game were the finalists of the 2018 FCS Playoffs, which began with a 24-team bracket. North Dakota State and Eastern Washington qualified for the Championship by winning their semifinal games. North Dakota State was the designated home team for the game.[5]
The Bison, led by fifth-year head coach Chris Klieman, finished the regular season 11–0 and received the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in the FCS Playoffs. They defeated Montana State, No. 8 seed Colgate, and No. 5 seed South Dakota State to reach the Championship Game. This was North Dakota State's seventh Championship Game appearance; they entered the game with a 6–0 record in previous finals, with their last coming in the 2017 playoffs.
The Eagles, led by second-year head coach Aaron Best, finished the regular season 9–2 and received the No. 3 seed and a first-round bye in the FCS Playoffs. They defeated Nicholls, No. 6 seed UC Davis, and No. 7 seed Maine to reach the Championship Game. This was Eastern Washington's second Championship Game appearance; their only previous appearance was in the 2010 playoffs, which they won.