Initially 22 teams were allocated vacancies to enter the competition, with 8 of them directly qualified to the 16th Finals on the basis of the latest CEV European Ranking List.

[1] 14 teams came from the CEV Women's Champions League qualification entering the competition at different stages (as per 'Round composition' below).

On 30 June 2016, a drawing of lots in Varna, Bulgaria, determined the team's pairing for each match.

[2] *Note: A first leg, originally scheduled on 7 February 2017, did not take place as Vizura did not turn up for the match.

[4][5][6] The CEV with both clubs consent, decided a single match in a neutral venue (Brčko in Bosnia and Herzegovina) played behind closed doors as the way to determine the team advancing in the competition.