The 1872–73 Football Association Challenge Cup was the second staging of the FA Cup, England's oldest national football tournament. Sixteen teams entered, one more than the previous season, although two of the sixteen never actually played a match.
In keeping with the original concept of it being a "challenge" cup, the holders, Wanderers, were given a bye all the way to the final, for which they were also allowed to select the venue. This was the only season in which the holders were granted these privileges.
Queen's Park were given byes until the semi-finals in order to reduce the amount of travelling necessary, but then withdrew anyway when scheduled to play Oxford University, who therefore received a walkover to the final.
Format
First round: Fourteen teams (all except Queen's Park and defending champions Wanderers) would play and the seven winners advance.
Second round: Six teams (Royal Engineers getting a bye) would play, the winners advancing.
Third round: The three second-round winners and Royal Engineers would play. The winners would advance.
Fourth round: The two third-round winners would play.
Semi-final: The winning team from the fourth round would face Queen's Park. However, this match was not needed as Queen's Park withdrew.
Final: The semi-final winners would face Wanderers, the defending champions.
The final was played at Lillie Bridge. The attendance of 3,000 was considered low, and of those who did attend, not all stayed for the whole duration of the game. This was attributed to the Boat Race occurring later the same day.