The 1926–27 FA Cup was the 52nd staging of the world's oldest footballcup competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup. Welsh club Cardiff City won the competition for the first time, beating Arsenal 1–0 in the final at Wembley. As of 2024, it is the only FA Cup title won by a club from outside England.
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 4 September 1926
Preliminary round
Saturday 18 September 1926
First round qualifying
Saturday 2 October 1926
Second round qualifying
Saturday 16 October 1926
Third round qualifying
Saturday 30 October 1926
Fourth round qualifying
Saturday 13 November 1926
First round proper
Saturday 27 November 1926
Second round proper
Saturday 11 December 1926
Third round proper
Saturday 8 January 1927
Fourth round proper
Saturday 29 January 1927
Fifth round proper
Saturday 19 February 1927
Sixth round proper
Saturday 5 March 1927
Semi-Finals
Saturday 26 March 1927
Final
Saturday 23 April 1927
Qualifying rounds
Most participating clubs that were not members of the Football League joined the competition in the qualifying rounds.
Those featuring at this stage for the first time were Bedlington United, Annfield Plain, Rhyl, York City, Desborough Town, Lowestoft Town, Kingstonian, Barking, Nunhead and Poole, while Woking progressed to the main draw for the first time since 1907-08.
Northern Nomads (who were mainly based in Glossop at this time) and Stockton were the champion and finalist from the previous season's FA Amateur Cup.
38 matches were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 27 November 1926. Eleven matches were drawn and went to replays in the following midweek fixture, of which two went to another replay.
42 of the 44 First and Second Division clubs entered the competition at this stage, along with Third Division Millwall and Plymouth Argyle. Also given a bye to this round of the draw was amateur side Corinthian. Carlisle United, Poole and Rhyl were last teams from the qualifying rounds remaining in the competition.
The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 8 January 1927. Four matches were drawn and went to replays in the following midweek fixture, of which one went to a second replay.
The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 29 January 1927. Five games were drawn and went to replays in the following midweek fixture, of which one went to a second replay.
The 1927 FA Cup Final was won by Cardiff City, who beat Arsenal 1–0. It is most remembered for Arsenal goalkeeperDan Lewis' mistake which led to the only goal of the game. It was also the first ever Cup Final to be broadcast by BBC Radio. Commentators were Derek McCulloch and George Allison, who would later manage Arsenal.
