[2] The competition began on the week commencing 8 August 2016, and the final was played on 26 February 2017.
If the score is level after 90 minutes, or if the aggregate score is level for semi-finals, then thirty minutes of extra time is played, divided into two fifteen-minute halves.
If the aggregate scores in semi-finals are still level at the end of extra time the tie shall be decided by goals scored away from home counting twice, according to the away goals rule.
[7] Seventy of the seventy-two clubs in the English Football League (tiers 2–4) entered in the first round.
In the second round, the thirteen Premier League clubs not involved in European competition as well as the two highest-ranked Championship clubs relegated from 2015–16 Premier League (Newcastle United and Norwich City) entered the cup,[7] with Arsenal, Leicester City, Manchester City, Manchester United, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United all receiving a bye to the third round.
The draw for the second round was held on 10 August 2016 [11] Note: The numbers in parentheses are the tier for the team during the 2016–17 season.
The seven teams entering in this round were the clubs from the 2016–17 Premier League that are involved in European competition in the 2016–17 season.
A total of eight clubs played in the quarter-finals, all winners of the fourth round.
The first leg matches were played in the week commencing 9 January 2017.