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. The 1933-34 competition was notable in that no second replays were required throughout the competition proper.
Calendar
Round
Date
Extra preliminary round
Saturday 2 September 1933
Preliminary round
Saturday 16 September 1933
First round qualifying
Saturday 30 September 1933
Second round qualifying
Saturday 14 October 1933
Third round qualifying
Saturday 28 October 1933
Fourth round qualifying
Saturday 11 November 1933
First round proper
Saturday 25 November 1933
Second round proper
Saturday 9 December 1933
Third round proper
Saturday 13 January 1934
Fourth round proper
Saturday 27 January 1934
Fifth round proper
Saturday 17 February 1934
Sixth round proper
Saturday 3 March 1934
Semi-finals
Saturday 17 March 1934
Final
Saturday 28 April 1934
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 North Shields, South Bank St Peters, Altrincham, Sutton Town, Epsom Town, London Paper Mills and Cheltenham Town, while Oxford City had not featured in the first round since 1906-07.
Cheltenham Town emulated Brighton & Hove Albion's achievement from the previous season of competing in nine consecutive rounds of the tournament. Entering in the extra preliminary round, Cheltenham defeated Mount Hill Enterprise, St Philip's Athletic, Street and Merthyr Town before losing to Llanelli in a third qualifying round replay at Whaddon Road. However, Llanelli was later disqualified for fielding ineligible imported players in the initial match at Stebonheath Park, resulting in Cheltenham being re-instated and overcoming Calne & Harris United, Barnet and Carlisle United before going out to Blackpool in front of a record home attendance at the Athletic Ground in the third round.
The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 27 January 1934. Five games were drawn and went to replays in the following midweek fixture. Workington was the last non-league club left in the competition.
The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 17 February 1934. There was one replay, in the Sheffield Wednesday–Manchester City match, played in the next midweek fixture.