The 1935–36 FA Cup was the 61st season of the world's oldest football cup competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup. Arsenal won the competition for the second time, beating Sheffield United 1–0 in the final at Wembley, through a late goal from Ted Drake. 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 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. The 25 winners from the fourth qualifying round were Blyth Spartans, Ferryhill Athletic, Scarborough, Kells United, Workington, Darwen, Wigan Athletic, Stalybridge Celtic, Gainsborough Trinity, Scunthorpe & Lindsey United, Burton Town, Grantham, Kidderminster Harriers, Boston United, Southall, Walthamstow Avenue, Dartford, Folkestone, Romford, Margate, Nunhead, Dulwich Hamlet, Newport (IOW), Cheltenham Town and Yeovil & Petter's United. Those appearing in the competition proper for the first time were Ferryhill Athletic, Kells United and Newport (IOW). Kells (at that time) was a small coal mining village on the outskirts of Whitehaven much better known in sporting circles for its amateur rugby league exploits. Although population data from the 1931 Census would be destroyed in a wartime fire, Kells United remains one of the smallest community clubs ever to qualify for the FA Cup first round. Southall was the most successful club from the extra preliminary round, progressing to the third round proper after defeating Hayes, Civil Service, Marlow, Wycombe Wanderers, Uxbridge, Enfield, Swindon Town and Newport (IOW). Kidderminster Harriers and Nunhead also went from the extra preliminary round to the main competition this season, with Nunhead going out in the first round and Kidderminster in the second.

First round proper

At this stage 41 clubs from the Football League Third Division North and South joined the 25 non-league clubs that came through the qualifying rounds. Stockport County, Millwall and Luton Town were given byes to the third round. To make the number of matches up, non-league Bishop Auckland and Corinthian were given byes to this round, with Bishop Auckland being the winner of the previous season's FA Amateur Cup. 34 matches were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 30 November 1935. Six were drawn and went to replays in the following midweek fixture.

Second round proper

The matches were played on Saturday, 14 December 1935. Six matches were drawn, with replays taking place in the following midweek fixture. One of these, Halifax Town against Hartlepools United, went to a second replay.

Third round proper

The 44 First and Second Division clubs entered the competition at this stage along with Stockport County, Millwall and Luton Town. The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 11 January 1936. Twelve matches were drawn and went to replays in the following midweek fixture. Margate, Southall, Dartford and Workington were the last clubs from the qualifying rounds remaining in the competition, with Southall featuring in their ninth round of the tournament.

Fourth round proper

The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 25 January 1936, although four games were played at later dates. Four games were drawn and went to replays in the following midweek fixture, of which one went to a second replay.

Fifth round proper

The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 15 February 1936, except for the Chelsea–Fulham derby game, which was played four days later. There were three replays, played in the next midweek fixture.

Sixth round proper

The four quarter-final ties were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 29 February 1936. There were no replays.

Semi-finals

The semi-final matches were played on Saturday, 21 March 1936. Sheffield United and Arsenal won their matches to meet in the final at Wembley

Final

The 1936 FA Cup Final was contested by Arsenal and Sheffield United at Wembley. Arsenal won by a single goal, scored by Ted Drake.

Match details