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.
The remaining Third Division clubs, Durham City, Doncaster Rovers and Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic were entered in the preliminary round. Durham needed two replays to see off West Stanley before losing to Northern Combination outfit Dipton United, while Doncaster and Bournemouth (both newly elected to the Football League this season) withdrew from the competition after being drawn against Fryston Colliery Welfare and Portsea Gas Company respectively.
The eleven League teams ultimately winning through to the first round proper were Grimsby Town, Portsmouth, Accrington Stanley, Northampton Town, Ashington, Exeter City, Norwich City, Aberdare Athletic, Gillingham, Darlington and Halifax Town. The final spot in the main draw went to Welsh Southern League club Llanelli, who were appearing at that stage for the first time.
Of the 171 clubs entered in the extra preliminary round, the most successful were Hinckley United and Folkestone who progressed to the fifth qualifying round before losing to Grimsby Town and Norwich City respectively. Kent League side Sittingbourne, having entered the competition in the fourth qualifying round, was the only non-league club besides Llanelli to participate in the sixth qualifying round.
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. To bring the number of teams up to 64, amateur side Corinthian received a bye to the first round as did nine Third Division South sides and two Third Division North sides. 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.
