The season began on 3 September 2016 and ended on 18 June 2017.

ABC were the defending champions, but failed to revalidate the title, as Sporting CP won this season's league, achieving its 20th league title.

The competition format for the 2016–17 season consists of two phases, both played in a home-and-away double round-robin system.

Among them are all sides from the previous season, except for Passos Manuel, who relinquished their participation due to budget restrictions.

[2] The remaining three teams – Boa-Hora, Arsenal and São Mamede – were promoted from the 2015–16 Second Division.