[4][5] In what was described as the biggest upset since Wimbledon's win over Liverpool in the 1988 final,[6] Wigan defeated Manchester City 1–0 to claim the trophy for the first time in their history.

The team was initially disqualified,[10] and Brentford declared the winners by walkover, but Bradford eventually made a successful appeal to the FA against expulsion and were fined £1,000 instead allowing the replay to go ahead.

[15] The draw for the fifth round took place on 27 January 2013, with Luton Town from the Conference National (5) remaining as the lowest-ranked team still in the Cup.

[16] The draw for the quarter-finals took place on 17 February 2013, with Barnsley, Millwall and Blackburn Rovers all from the Championship remaining as the lowest-ranked teams.

[22] ITV has held the rights since 2008–09,[23] while ESPN gained FA Cup coverage from the 2010–11 season following the collapse of Setanta in the UK.

[24] Under the Ofcom code of protected sporting events, the FA Cup Final must be broadcast live on UK terrestrial television.