The 1931–32 FA Cup was the 57th season of the world's oldest football cup competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup. Newcastle United won the competition for the third time, beating Arsenal 2–1 in the final at Wembley. 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

Qualifying rounds

Most teams that were not members of the Football League competed in the qualifying rounds to secure one of 25 places available in the first round. The 24 winners from the fourth qualifying round were West Stanley, Crook Town, Blyth Spartans, Lancaster Town, Darwen, Manchester Central, Yorkshire Amateur, Scunthorpe & Lindsey United, Gainsborough Trinity, Newark Town, Burton Town, Peterborough & Fletton United, Hayes, Enfield, Barnet, Chelmsford, Northfleet United, Folkestone, Tunbridge Wells Rangers, Guildford City, Wimbledon, Metropolitan Police, Nunhead and Yeovil & Petter's United. Due to the uneven number of teams (49) contesting this season's fourth qualifying round, Bath City, having won through to that stage from the preliminary round, received a bye to the first round proper. Those appearing in the main competition for the first time were Yorkshire Amateur, Burton Town, Enfield, Chelmsford and Metropolitan Police, while Darwen had last featured at this stage in the Intermediate Round of the 1903-04 tournament. Additionally, Burton was the first club from that town to qualify for the FA Cup competition proper since Burton United in 1906-07. Blyth Spartans became the second club in the competition's history to progress from the extra preliminary round to the second round proper, defeating Shankhouse, Scotswood, Wallsend Boys Club, Walker Celtic, Jarrow, Stockton and Lancaster Town before losing to Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic at Dean Court.

First round proper

At this stage 42 clubs from the Football League Third Division North and South joined the 25 non-league clubs that came through the qualifying rounds. Southport and Exeter City were given byes to the third round. To make up the requisite number of matches, non-league Aldershot was given a bye to this round. 34 matches were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 28 November 1931. Eight were drawn and went to replays in the following midweek fixture, of which one went to two more replays. Notable in this round is the home win awarded to Burton Town due to Wigan Borough folding and resigning from the Football League just after the start of the season.

Second round proper

The matches were played on Saturday, 12 December 1931. Three matches were drawn, with replays taking place in the following midweek fixture.

Third round proper

The 44 First and Second Division clubs entered the competition at this stage, along with Southport, Exeter City and amateur side Corinthian. The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 9 January 1932. Twelve matches were drawn and went to replays in the following midweek fixture. Darwen, Bath City, Burton Town and Crook Town were the last clubs from the qualifying rounds left in the competition, but all remaining non-league sides (including Corinthian) went out in this round.

Fourth round proper

The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 23 January 1932. Three games were drawn and went to replays in the following midweek fixture, of which two went to second replays.

Fifth round proper

The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 13 February 1932. There was one replay, between Chelsea and Sheffield Wednesday, played in the next midweek fixture.

Sixth round proper

The four Sixth Round ties were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 27 February 1932. There were no replays.

Semi-finals

The semi-final matches were played on Saturday, 12 March 1932. Newcastle United and Arsenal won their matches to meet in the final at Wembley.

Final

The 1932 FA Cup Final was contested by Newcastle United and Arsenal at Wembley in what became known as the "Over The Line" final. Newcastle won 2–1, both of their goals scored by Jack Allen.

Match details