The 1961–62 FA Cup was the 81st staging of the world's oldest footballcup competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup. Tottenham Hotspur won the competition for the fourth time, beating Burnley 3–1 in the final at Wembley. In doing so, they became the first team to retain the FA Cup since Newcastle United's victory in 1952, and the fourth team ever to do so. 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 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.
At this stage clubs from the Football League Third and Fourth Divisions joined those non-league clubs having come through the qualifying rounds. Matches were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 4 November 1961, although three games were not played until the midweek fixture. Nine were drawn and went to replays, with one fixture requiring a second replay.
The 44 First and Second Division clubs entered the competition at this stage. The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 6 January 1962, with seven matches postponed until later dates. Ten matches were drawn and went to replays, with two of these requiring a second replay.
The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 27 January 1962, with three Lancashire-based games postponed until the midweek fixtures. Five matches were drawn and went to replays, which were all played in the following midweek match.
Tie no
Home team
Score
Away team
Date
1
Burnley
1–1
Leyton Orient
30 January 1962
Replay
Leyton Orient
0–1
Burnley
6 February 1962
2
Preston North End
2–0
Weymouth
29 January 1962
3
Nottingham Forest
0–2
Sheffield Wednesday
27 January 1962
4
Aston Villa
2–1
Huddersfield Town
27 January 1962
5
Wolverhampton Wanderers
1–2
West Bromwich Albion
27 January 1962
6
Sunderland
0–0
Port Vale
27 January 1962
Replay
Port Vale
3–1
Sunderland
31 January 1962
7
Everton
2–0
Manchester City
27 January 1962
8
Shrewsbury Town
2–2
Middlesbrough
27 January 1962
Replay
Middlesbrough
5–1
Shrewsbury Town
31 January 1962
9
Fulham
2–2
Walsall
27 January 1962
Replay
Walsall
0–2
Fulham
30 January 1962
10
Manchester United
1–0
Arsenal
31 January 1962
11
Norwich City
1–1
Ipswich Town
27 January 1962
Replay
Ipswich Town
1–2
Norwich City
30 January 1962
12
Plymouth Argyle
1–5
Tottenham Hotspur
27 January 1962
13
Oldham Athletic
1–2
Liverpool
27 January 1962
14
Charlton Athletic
2–1
Derby County
27 January 1962
15
Stoke City
0–1
Blackburn Rovers
27 January 1962
16
Peterborough United
1–3
Sheffield United
27 January 1962
Fifth Round
The matches were scheduled for Saturday, 17 February 1962. Two matches went to replays in the following mid-week fixtures, with the Liverpool–Preston North End game requiring a second replay before the tie was settled.
The four quarter-final ties were scheduled to be played on Saturday, 10 March 1962. Two matches went to replays on the 14th before being settled.
Tie no
Home team
Score
Away team
Date
1
Preston North End
0–0
Manchester United
10 March 1962
Replay
Manchester United
2–1
Preston North End
14 March 1962
2
Sheffield United
0–1
Burnley
10 March 1962
3
Tottenham Hotspur
2–0
Aston Villa
10 March 1962
4
Fulham
2–2
Blackburn Rovers
10 March 1962
Replay
Blackburn Rovers
0–1
Fulham
14 March 1962
Semi-finals
The semi-final matches were played on Saturday, 31 March 1962 with a replay being required between Burnley and Fulham on Monday, 9 April 1962. Tottenham and Burnley came through the semi final round to meet at Wembley.
Replay
Final
The 1962 FA Cup Final took place on 5 May 1962 at Wembley Stadium and was won by Tottenham Hotspur over Burnley, by a 3–1 scoreline. Due to the lack of passion and excitement, replaced by patience and cautious play, the final was dubbed "The Chessboard Final". Tottenham took to the field as holders, having won the League and FA Cup Double in 1961.