The 1979 season was Malmö FF's 68th in existence, their 46th season in Allsvenskan and their 43rd consecutive season in the league. They competed in Allsvenskan where they finished fourth, the 1978–79 European Cup where they finished as runners-up and the 1979–80 UEFA Cup where they were knocked out in the second round. Malmö FF also participated in two competitions in which the club continued playing in for the , and the Intercontinental Cup. The season began with the first leg of the Quarter-finals of the European Cup on 7 March, league play started on 16 April and lasted until 28 October. The season ended with the first leg of the Intercontinental Cup on 18 November.