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
Round
Date
Extra preliminary round
Saturday 5 September 1936
Preliminary round
Saturday 19 September 1936
First round qualifying
Saturday 3 October 1936
Second round qualifying
Saturday 17 October 1936
Third round qualifying
Saturday 31 October 1936
Fourth round qualifying
Saturday 14 November 1936
First round proper
Saturday 28 November 1936
Second round proper
Saturday 12 December 1936
Third round proper
Saturday 16 January 1937
Fourth round proper
Saturday 30 January 1937
Fifth round proper
Saturday 20 February 1937
Sixth round proper
Saturday 6 March 1937
Semi-finals
Saturday 10 April 1937
Final
Saturday 1 May 1937
Qualifying rounds
Most participating clubs that were not members of the Football League competed in the qualifying rounds to secure one of 25 places available in the first round.
Those appearing in the competition proper for the first time were Morecambe, South Liverpool, Frickley Colliery, Ipswich Town and Worthing. Peterborough United were also featuring in the main draw for the first time in their own right, just five seasons after predecessor outfit Peterborough & Fletton United had last reached this stage.
At this stage 41 clubs from the Football League Third Division North and South joined the 25 non-league clubs having come through the qualifying rounds. Chester, Port Vale and Luton Town were given byes to the third round. To make the number of matches up, non-league sides Ilford and Corinthian were given byes to this round. Ilford were the runners-up from the previous season's FA Amateur Cup, but the bye was passed to them as the winners, Casuals were no longer entering the FA Cup.
34 matches were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 28 November 1936. Four were drawn and went to replays in the following midweek.
The matches were played on Saturday, 12 December 1936, with one match postponed until the 17th. Three matches were drawn, with replays taking place in the following midweek.
The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 16 January 1937. Four matches were drawn and went to replays in the following midweek. Spennymoor United and Dartford were the last clubs from the qualifying rounds left in the competition.
The four quarter final ties were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 6 March 1937. The Wolverhampton Wanderers–Sunderland match went to two replays before it was settled, in Sunderland's favour. This was the only second replay to take place in the FA Cup proper.
