[5] Due to weather damage to pitches in late December, two ties were reversed.
[6] The defending champions were Warrington Town, who defeated Farsley on penalties in the 2015 Final.
Warrington Town were unable to defend their title as they were eliminated in the first round by Ramsbottom United.
Eight teams from the Northern Premier League Division One North or Northern Premier League Division One South had to compete in the preliminary round to win a place in the competition proper.
[17] Source:[15][18] The Challenge Cup Final was played at Throstle Nest, the home ground of Farsley Celtic.