Malmö FF were the defending champions after winning the title in the previous season.
Gefle IF and Falkenbergs FF were relegated at the end of the 2016 season after finishing in the bottom two places of the table.
They were replaced by 2016 Superettan champions IK Sirius and runners-up AFC United.
IK Sirius returned to Allsvenskan after 42 years' absence, having been relegated at the end of the 1974 season.
[citation needed] The final spot will be taken by the 2016 Allsvenskan play-offs winner; Halmstads BK, third-placed team in 2016 Superettan.