A total of 276 clubs entered the competition, which was won by York City after beating Macclesfield Town 3–2 in front of 38,224 spectators at Wembley in the final on 21 May 2017.
A total of 128 clubs, from Level 8 of English football, entered preliminary round of the competition.
Eight clubs from level 8 get a bye to the first round qualifying - Beaconsfield SYCOB, Heybridge Swifts, Kidsgrove Athletic, Market Drayton Town, Phoenix Sports, Waltham Abbey, Walton Casuals and Ware.
A total of 80 teams took part in this stage of the competition, all winners from the second round qualifying and 44 clubs from Level 6 of English football.
A total of 64 teams took part in this stage of the competition, all winners from the third round qualifying and the clubs from Level 5 of English football.