The 1998 Chatham Cup was the 71st annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand. 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.