The 2016 Central Arkansas Bears football team represented the University of Central Arkansas in the 2016 NCAA Division I FCS football season.

The Bears were led by third-year head coach Steve Campbell and played their home games at Estes Stadium.

They were a member of the Southland Conference.

They finished the season 10–3 overall and 8–1 in Southland play to finish in second place.

They received an at-large bid to the FCS Playoffs where they defeated Illinois State in the first round, before losing in the second round to Eastern Washington.