The competition acts as a second-tier league to the ten New South Wales-based National Rugby League clubs, as well the Canberra Raiders and New Zealand Warriors.

Illawarra RLFC are the defending champions, following their 21–20 victory against the Mounties in the 2016 grand final.

[6][7] A team from Fiji applied to enter the competition, gaining support from Petero Civoniceva and the Fijian government,[8] but the NSWRL board determined that they were not ready for the 2017 season.

[8] Pat Weisner started the season as coach of the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles, before being fired and replaced by Steven Hales.

As premiers of the NSW Cup, the Penrith Panthers faced Queensland Cup premiers Papua New Guinea Hunters in the annual NRL State Championship match.