[1] Saint George SC are the defending champions, having won their 25th championship.
The top flight has been expanded to 16-teams up from 14,[2] and is expected to be more competitive and exciting with more matches to play.
The bottom three finishers will be relegated to the Ethiopian Super League for 2017-18.
The four newcomers are Fasil Kenema F.C.Jimma Aba Buna F.C., Addis Ababa City F.C.
Saint George SC are the defending champions from the 2015–16 season.