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. 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 at neutral venues 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 2 September 1950
Preliminary round
Saturday 16 September 1950
First round qualifying
Saturday 30 September 1950
Second round qualifying
Saturday 14 October 1950
Third round qualifying
Saturday 28 October 1950
Fourth round qualifying
Saturday 11 November 1950
First round proper
Saturday 25 November 1950
Second round proper
Saturday 9 December 1950
Third round proper
Saturday 6 January 1951
Fourth round proper
Saturday 27 January 1951
Fifth round proper
Saturday 10 February 1951
Sixth round proper
Saturday 24 February 1951
Semi-finals
Saturday 10 March 1951
Final
Saturday 28 April 1951
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. This season, newly-elected Third Division clubs Colchester United, Scunthorpe & Lindsey United and Shrewsbury Town were also entered in the qualifying rounds, although Shrewsbury Town had to forfeit their preliminary round match against Oswestry Town as it clashed with a League fixture against York City. Colchester and Scunthorpe were entered in the fourth qualifying round, and were (as of 2025) the last Football League clubs to compete in Cup qualifying fixtures.
Those appearing in the competition proper for the first time were Cleator Moor Celtic, Linby Colliery, Tonbridge and Glastonbury. Of the others, Nelson had not featured at this stage since 1932–33, Ashington since 1929-30, Worcester City since 1928-29 and Llanelli since 1923-24. With the FA tightening Cup entry requirements in the following seasons, it would also be Cleator Moor Celtic's last appearance at any stage of the competition for 38 years.
The matches were played on Saturday, 9 December 1950. Three matches were drawn, with replays taking place on the following Wednesday. One second replay was played on Monday, 18 December 1950.
The matches were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 6 January 1951, though two were postponed until later the same week. Five matches were drawn, with replays taking place later the same week. For the first time since 1924–25, no teams from the qualifying rounds reached this stage (or its pre-1925 equivalent).
The final took place on Saturday, 28 April 1951 at Wembley and ended in a victory for Newcastle United over Blackpool by 2–0, with both goals scored by Jackie Milburn. The attendance was 100,000.
^ abcDetail for matches involving Birmingham City from Matthews, Tony (1995). Birmingham City: A Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 186. ISBN978-1-85983-010-9.