Matches were scheduled to be played at the stadium of the team named first on the date specified for each round, which was always a Saturday. Some matches, however, might be rescheduled for other days if there were clashes with games for other competitions or the weather was inclement. If scores were level after 90 minutes had been played, a replay would take place at the stadium of the second-named team later the same week. If the replayed match was drawn further replays would be held until a winner was determined. If scores were level after 90 minutes had been played in a replay, a 30-minute period of extra time would be played.
Calendar
The format of the FA Cup for the season had two preliminary rounds, six qualifying rounds, four proper rounds, and the semi-finals and final.
Round
Date
Extra preliminary round
Saturday 8 September 1923
Preliminary round
Saturday 22 September 1923
First round qualifying
Saturday 6 October 1923
Second round qualifying
Saturday 20 October 1923
Third round qualifying
Saturday 3 November 1923
Fourth round qualifying
Saturday 17 November 1923
Fifth round qualifying
Saturday 1 December 1923
Sixth round qualifying
Saturday 15 December 1923
First round proper
Saturday 12 January 1924
Second round proper
Saturday 2 February 1924
Third round proper
Saturday 23 February 1924
Fourth round proper
Saturday 8 March 1924
Semi-finals
Saturday 29 March 1924
Final
Saturday 26 April 1924
First round proper
40 of the 44 clubs from the Football League First Division and Football League Second Division joined the 12 lower-league clubs who came through the qualifying rounds. Four Second Division sides, Port Vale, Stockport County, Nelson and Coventry City, were entered at the fifth qualifying round, with most of the Third Division North and South teams. Of the three new teams in the Football League this season, New Brighton entered in the Fourth Qualifying round (losing to Southport), while Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic and Doncaster Rovers both withdrew from the competition after being entered in the Preliminary round. Amateur side Corinthian were given a free entry to the first round. To make the number of teams up to 64, nine Third Division South sides and only two Third Division North sides were given byes to this round. These were:
32 matches were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 12 January 1924. Seven matches were drawn and went to replays in the following midweek fixture, of which two went to another replay.
The 16 Second Round matches were played on Saturday, 2 February 1924. Eight matches were drawn, with replays taking place in the following midweek fixture. Three of these then went to a second replay played the following week, and two of these went to a third replay.
The eight Third Round matches were scheduled for Saturday, 23 February 1924. Two matches were drawn and went to replays in the following midweek fixture.
The semi-final matches were played on Saturday, 29 March 1924. The matches ended in victories for Newcastle United and Aston Villa, who went on to meet in the final at Wembley.