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 (based in Glasgow) 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.

• First round: Fourteen teams (all except Queen's Park and defending champions Wanderers) would play and the seven winners advance.
• Second round: Six teams would play, the winners advancing. One team would get a bye.
• Third round: The four second-round winners would play. The winners would advance.
• Fourth round: The two third-round winners would play. The winners would advance.
• 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.

Notes

The final was played at Lillie Bridge, and had a morning kick-off for the only time in Cup history. The attendance was considered low, and of those who did attend, not all stayed for the whole duration of the game. This was attributed to the Oxford–Cambridge Boat Race occurring later the same day.