The draw for round 2 involved 88 association clubs (level 5) and was announced in February 2024. Clubs from NSW League One and League Two were drawn in round 3.[2] The draw for round 4 was announced in March and included teams from the National Premier Leagues NSW.[3] Youth teams of the A-League Men were not eligible to participate in the cup.[4]
Format and dates
Round
Clubs remaining
Winners from previous round
New entries this round
Main match dates
Round 2
159
–
88
5–12 March
Round 3
115
44
58
19–27 March
Round 4
64
51
13
8–24 April
Round 5
32
32
–
23 April–14 May
Round 6
16
16
–
15–28 May
Round 7
8
8
–
28 May–5 June
Qualified clubs
The four qualified clubs were Rockdale Ilinden, NWS Spirit, Blacktown City and APIA Leichhardt, all of whom compete in the National Premier Leagues NSW.[5] From the seventh round, Rockdale Ilinden won 9–1 against Phoenix FC, the latter based in the football association of the Eastern Suburbs. NWS Spirit overcame defending champions Sydney United to progress, while APIA Leichhardt and Blacktown City defeated Marconi Stallions and Inter Lions in their respective matches.[5][6] In addition to the Waratah Cup, the four clubs qualified to the Round of 32 of the 2024 Australia Cup.[5]
Rockdale played against NWS Spirit in the semi-final, having won their first head-to-head match over the latter in the 2024 league season.[7] Rockdale competed in their third cup appearance and for their first cup title. Spirit are previous cup winners, claiming the trophy in 2022, and appeared for their second Waratah Cup campaign.[6][7] Blacktown City played against APIA Leichhardt in the semi-final. Both sides have won the cup five times and won once in the clashes between them during the 2024 league season.[8]
