2016–17 NIFL Premiership#UEFA Europa League play-offs

The fixtures were announced on 7 July 2016.{{cite news |url=http://nifootballleague.com/danske-bank-premiership/news/item/2016-17-season-fixtures-released |title=2016–17 SEASON FIXTURES RELEASED |website=nifootballleague.com |date=7 July 2016 |access-date=7 July 2016 |archive-date=10 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710065000/http://www.nifootballleague.com/danske-bank-premiership/news/item/2016-17-season-fixtures-released |url-status=dead }} The season began on 6 August 2016 and ended on 29 April 2017, with the play-offs taking place in May 2017.

Crusaders were the two-time defending champions after winning the title for the previous two seasons. On 29 April 2017, Linfield beat Cliftonville 3–1 to win their 52nd league title on the final day of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39758378

|title=Irish Premiership: Linfield clinch title by beating Cliftonville|date=29 April 2017|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 November 2017}}

It was an unlikely title win for Linfield, as after a 1–0 home defeat to Coleraine in January 2017, they sat seven points behind defending champions, Crusaders. A 1–1 draw at home against Portadown on 17 February 2017 meant the gap had grown to nine points with nine games left to play. However, Linfield won all nine of their remaining games, going unbeaten in their last 14 games of the season since the Coleraine defeat, winning 13 of them and drawing the other (the 1–1 draw against Portadown). They picked up 40 out of a possible 42 points to capitalise on Crusaders dropping points, and pipped them to the title on the final day of the season by two points.

Linfield qualified for the 2017–18 UEFA Champions League. The runners-up, Crusaders, along with third-placed Coleraine and the play-off winners, Ballymena United, qualified for the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League.

Twelve teams competed in the 2016–17 NIFL Premiership. Warrenpoint Town were relegated after finishing bottom of the 2015–16 NIFL Premiership and after a failed appeal against an IFA ruling not to deduct points from Carrick Rangers after their manager incorrectly served a touchline ban.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36580332|title=Warrenpoint Town relegated after appeal dismissed|date=20 June 2016|work=BBC Online|access-date=9 April 2017}} Warrenpoint Town were replaced by Ards as the winners of the 2015–16 NIFL Championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/football-news/irish-league-ards-promoted-to-danske-bank-premiership-1-7359644 |title=IRISH LEAGUE: Ards promoted to Danske Bank Premiership |work=News Letter |date=30 April 2016 |access-date=23 June 2016}}

Ballinamallard United finished second from bottom but retained their Premiership place after winning the promotion-relegation play-off against NIFL Championship runners-up Institute 5–4 on aggregate.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36602429|title=Irish Premiership play-off: Late Mallards goal secures aggregate win|date=22 June 2016|work=BBC Online|access-date=9 April 2017}} Portadown started this season with a 12-point deduction, after the IFA found the club guilty of breaching the rules by paying Peter McMahon, despite the player being contracted to the club as an amateur.{{cite web|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/portadown-down-12-points-in-danske-bank-premiership-season-following-ifa-fine-34802108.html |title=Portadown down 12 points in Danske Bank Premiership season following IFA fine |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=14 June 2016 |access-date=23 June 2016}} The club appealed against the decision, but this was rejected in October 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37621820|title=Portadown lose 12-point deduction appeal as Coleraine are awarded 3-0 win|work=BBC Sport|date=11 October 2016|access-date=27 March 2019}}

{{Location map+ |UK Northern Ireland |float=right |width=400 |caption=Locations of the 2016–17 NIFL Premiership teams |places=

{{Location map~ |UK Northern Ireland |marksize=12 |lat=54.602945 |long=-5.891278 |label=Belfast |position=top}}

{{Location map~ |UK Northern Ireland |lat=54.65179 |long=-5.684674 |position=right|label=Ards}}

{{Location map~ |UK Northern Ireland |lat=54.414427 |long=-7.599786 |position=bottom|label=Ballinamallard United}}

{{Location map~ |UK Northern Ireland |lat=54.87016 |long=-6.265211 |position=top|label=Ballymena United }}

{{Location map~ |UK Northern Ireland |lat=54.71974 |long=-5.800309 |position=top|label=Carrick Rangers }}

{{Location map~ |UK Northern Ireland |lat=55.13287 |long=-6.659904 |position=bottom|label=Coleraine }}

{{Location map~ |UK Northern Ireland |lat=54.489581 |long=-6.745935 |position=top|label=Dungannon Swifts }}

{{Location map~ |UK Northern Ireland |lat=54.453889 |long=-6.336389 |position=top|label=Glenavon }}

{{Location map~ |UK Northern Ireland |lat=54.41306 |long=-6.457686 |position=bottom|label=Portadown }}

{{Location map~ |UK Northern Ireland |lat=55.32 |long=-8.2 |mark=TransparentPlaceholder.png |label=Belfast teams : Cliftonville
Crusaders
Glentoran
Linfield}}

}}

{{Location map+ |Greater Belfast |width=400 |float=right |caption=Locations of the Belfast-based 2016–17 NIFL Premiership teams |places=

{{Location map~ |Greater Belfast |lat=54.619250 |long=-5.947383 |position=left|label=Cliftonville}}

{{Location map~ |Greater Belfast |lat=54.62428 |long=-5.922017 |position=top|label=Crusaders}}

{{Location map~ |Greater Belfast |lat=54.60270 |long=-5.893478 |position=right|label=Glentoran}}

{{Location map~ |Greater Belfast |lat=54.57083 |long=-5.963302 |position=bottom|label=Linfield}}

}}

class="wikitable sortable"
Club !Stadium !Location !Capacity{{ref|n1|‡|noid=noid}}{{cite web|url=http://aims.niassembly.gov.uk/questions/printquestionsummary.aspx?docid=79814|title=AQW 1178/11|date=18 October 2010|publisher=niassembly.gov.uk|access-date=21 December 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sportni.net/NR/rdonlyres/5854FC89-D9B6-4B17-9C60-34D977CEBEB0/0/AnnualReview200809.pdf |title=Sport NI Annual review 2008/09 |page=18 |publisher=sportni.net |access-date=14 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928175439/http://www.sportni.net/NR/rdonlyres/5854FC89-D9B6-4B17-9C60-34D977CEBEB0/0/AnnualReview200809.pdf |archive-date=28 September 2013 |df=dmy }}
Ards	Clandeboye Park	Bangor	| 1,895 (500 seated)
Ballinamallard United	Ferney Park	Ballinamallard	| 2,000 (250 seated)
Ballymena United	The Showgrounds	Ballymena	| 3,050 (2,200 seated)
Carrick Rangers	Taylors Avenue	Carrickfergus	| 4,500 (150 seated)
Cliftonville	Solitude	Belfast	| 2,530 (all seated)
Coleraine	The Showgrounds	Coleraine	| 2,496 (1,106 seated)
Crusaders	Seaview	Belfast	| 3,383 (all seated)
Dungannon Swifts	Stangmore Park	Dungannon	| 5,000 (300 seated)
Glenavon	Mourneview Park	Lurgan	| 4,160 (4,000 seated)
Glentoran	The Oval	Belfast	6,054 (4,989 seated)
Linfield	Windsor Park	Belfast	| 18,614 (all seated)
Portadown	Shamrock Park	Portadown	| 3,940 (2,765 seated)

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WDL

|source=[https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nil2017.html RSSSF]

|team1=LIN |team2=CRU |team3=COL |team4=BYM |team5=CLF |team6=GLV |team7=DUN |team8=ARD |team9=GLT |team10=BMD |team11=CRK |team12=POR

|split6=yes

|note_header_res=Teams played each other three times (33 matches), before the league split into two groups (the top six and the bottom six) for the last five matches.

|result1=CL2Q |result2=EL1Q |result3=EL1Q |result4=ELPO |result5=ELPO |result6=ELPO |result7=ELPO |result11=PRPO |result12=REL

|update=complete

|win_ARD=13|draw_ARD=8 |loss_ARD=17|gf_ARD=61|ga_ARD=70

|win_BMD=10|draw_BMD=5 |loss_BMD=23|gf_BMD=45|ga_BMD=72

|win_BYM=18|draw_BYM=5 |loss_BYM=15|gf_BYM=75|ga_BYM=73

|win_CRK=5 |draw_CRK=7 |loss_CRK=26|gf_CRK=31|ga_CRK=79

|win_CLF=17|draw_CLF=7 |loss_CLF=14|gf_CLF=55|ga_CLF=50

|win_COL=18|draw_COL=11|loss_COL=9 |gf_COL=56|ga_COL=42

|win_CRU=27|draw_CRU=6 |loss_CRU=5 |gf_CRU=83|ga_CRU=36

|win_DUN=14|draw_DUN=10|loss_DUN=14|gf_DUN=67|ga_DUN=59

|win_GLV=13|draw_GLV=13|loss_GLV=12|gf_GLV=55|ga_GLV=55

|win_GLT=12|draw_GLT=10|loss_GLT=16|gf_GLT=45|ga_GLT=53

|win_LIN=27|draw_LIN=8 |loss_LIN=3 |gf_LIN=87|ga_LIN=24

|win_POR=7 |draw_POR=4 |loss_POR=27|gf_POR=28|ga_POR=75

|status_LIN=C

|status_BYM=O

|status_CRK=O

|status_POR=R

|adjust_points_POR=-12

|hth_POR=Portadown were deducted 12 points for a player registration breach.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36531961|title=Portadown handed 12-point deduction for next season over Peter McMahon case - BBC Sport|work=BBC Online|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=5 August 2016}}

|hth_DUN=After 33 games, clubs in the bottom half of the table at the split cannot climb into the top half, regardless of the results during matches 34–38.

|name_ARD=Ards

|name_BMD=Ballinamallard United

|name_BYM=Ballymena United

|name_CRK=Carrick Rangers

|name_CLF=Cliftonville

|name_COL=Coleraine

|name_CRU=Crusaders

|name_DUN=Dungannon Swifts

|name_GLV=Glenavon

|name_GLT=Glentoran

|name_LIN=Linfield

|name_POR=Portadown

|show_limit=5

|class_rules = 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head points; 5) Head-to-head goal difference{{cite web|url=http://www.scoresway.com/?sport=soccer&page=competition&id=78&view=rules|title=Premiership 2016/2017 - Season rules|publisher=Scoresway|access-date=5 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819182354/http://www.scoresway.com/?sport=soccer&page=competition&id=78&view=rules|archive-date=19 August 2018|url-status=dead}}

|res_col_header=QR

|col_CL2Q=green1 |text_CL2Q=Qualification for the Champions League first qualifying round

|col_EL1Q=blue1 |text_EL1Q=Qualification for the Europa League first qualifying round

|col_ELPO=yellow1|text_ELPO=Qualification for the Europa League play-offs

|col_REL=red1 |text_REL=Relegation to the NIFL Championship

|col_PRPO=red2 |text_PRPO=Qualification for the relegation play-offs

|note_res_EL1Q=2016–17 Irish Cup winners, Linfield, had already qualified for the Champions League as league champions. As a result, a Europa League berth was passed down to third-placed Coleraine.

|note_res_ELPO=Ballymena United qualified for the Europa League first qualifying round by winning the Europa League play-offs.

}}

During matches 1–22 each team played every other team twice (home and away).

{{#invoke:sports results|main

| source = [https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nil2017.html RSSSF]

| update = complete

| a_note = yes

| matches_style = FBR

| team1= ARD | team2= BMD | team3= BYM | team4= CRK | team5= CLF | team6= COL | team7= CRU | team8= DUN | team9= GLV | team10= GLT | team11= LIN | team12= POR

| name_ARD = Ards

| name_BMD = Ballinamallard United

| name_BYM = Ballymena United

| name_CRK = Carrick Rangers

| name_CLF = Cliftonville

| name_COL = Coleraine

| name_CRU = Crusaders

| name_DUN = Dungannon Swifts

| name_GLV = Glenavon

| name_GLT = Glentoran

| name_LIN = Linfield

| name_POR = Portadown

| match_ARD_BMD = 3–3

| match_ARD_BYM = 2–4

| match_ARD_CRK = 3–1

| match_ARD_CLF = 2–2

| match_ARD_COL = 1–2

| match_ARD_CRU = 0–1

| match_ARD_DUN = 3–3

| match_ARD_GLV = 0–1

| match_ARD_GLT = 2–0

| match_ARD_LIN = 0–2

| match_ARD_POR = 1–0

| match_BMD_ARD = 2–1

| match_BMD_BYM = 0–1

| match_BMD_CRK = 1–3

| match_BMD_CLF = 1–2

| match_BMD_COL = 0–3

| match_BMD_CRU = 0–1

| match_BMD_DUN = 2–0

| match_BMD_GLV = 1–1

| match_BMD_GLT = 2–1

| match_BMD_LIN = 1–2

| match_BMD_POR = 1–2

| match_BYM_ARD = 3–4

| match_BYM_BMD = 4–0

| match_BYM_CRK = 2–0

| match_BYM_CLF = 3–2

| match_BYM_COL = 2–0

| match_BYM_CRU = 2–1

| match_BYM_DUN = 1–4

| match_BYM_GLV = 3–3

| match_BYM_GLT = 4–1

| match_BYM_LIN = 1–4

| match_BYM_POR = 2–0

| match_CRK_ARD = 1–1

| match_CRK_BMD = 3–3

| match_CRK_BYM = 1–4

| match_CRK_CLF = 0–3

| match_CRK_COL = 2–0

| match_CRK_CRU = 1–4

| match_CRK_DUN = 0–3

| match_CRK_GLV = 0–0

| match_CRK_GLT = 1–2

| match_CRK_LIN = 0–2

| match_CRK_POR = 1–1

| match_CLF_ARD = 2–0

| match_CLF_BMD = 1–0

| match_CLF_BYM = 2–0

| match_CLF_CRK = 1–0

| match_CLF_COL = 1–0

| match_CLF_CRU = 0–4

| match_CLF_DUN = 1–2

| match_CLF_GLV = 3–0

| match_CLF_GLT = 2–0

| match_CLF_LIN = 2–1

| match_CLF_POR = 1–0

| match_COL_ARD = 1–1

| match_COL_BMD = 3–1

| match_COL_BYM = 2–2

| match_COL_CRK = 2–0

| match_COL_CLF = 0–1

| match_COL_CRU = 1–1

| match_COL_DUN = 2–2

| match_COL_GLV = 2–2

| match_COL_GLT = 4–1

| match_COL_LIN = 1–1

| match_COL_POR = 3–0{{efn|name=fn1|Match awarded 3–0 to Coleraine due to Portadown forfeiting the game after they were suspended from all football activity for non-payment of a £5,000 fine.}}

| match_CRU_ARD = 1–0

| match_CRU_BMD = 5–1

| match_CRU_BYM = 6–0

| match_CRU_CRK = 3–1

| match_CRU_CLF = 4–3

| match_CRU_COL = 1–0

| match_CRU_DUN = 3–1

| match_CRU_GLV = 3–1

| match_CRU_GLT = 2–2

| match_CRU_LIN = 0–0

| match_CRU_POR = 2–1

| match_DUN_ARD = 1–2

| match_DUN_BMD = 3–2

| match_DUN_BYM = 2–2

| match_DUN_CRK = 3–1

| match_DUN_CLF = 1–1

| match_DUN_COL = 4–0

| match_DUN_CRU = 0–1

| match_DUN_GLV = 1–1

| match_DUN_GLT = 0–1

| match_DUN_LIN = 0–4

| match_DUN_POR = 6–0

| match_GLV_ARD = 1–0

| match_GLV_BMD = 0–1

| match_GLV_BYM = 5–0

| match_GLV_CRK = 4–0

| match_GLV_CLF = 3–2

| match_GLV_COL = 1–0

| match_GLV_CRU = 3–3

| match_GLV_DUN = 0–1

| match_GLV_GLT = 1–1

| match_GLV_LIN = 2–2

| match_GLV_POR = 1–0

| match_GLT_ARD = 1–0

| match_GLT_BMD = 1–1

| match_GLT_BYM = 2–3

| match_GLT_CRK = 0–1

| match_GLT_CLF = 2–1

| match_GLT_COL = 0–1

| match_GLT_CRU = 1–3

| match_GLT_DUN = 1–0

| match_GLT_GLV = 2–2

| match_GLT_LIN = 1–2

| match_GLT_POR = 0–0

| match_LIN_ARD = 4–0

| match_LIN_BMD = 4–0

| match_LIN_BYM = 2–1

| match_LIN_CRK = 3–0

| match_LIN_CLF = 1–2

| match_LIN_COL = 1–1

| match_LIN_CRU = 0–0

| match_LIN_DUN = 1–1

| match_LIN_GLV = 4–0

| match_LIN_GLT = 1–1

| match_LIN_POR = 4–1

| match_POR_ARD = 0–3{{efn|name=fn2|Match awarded 3–0 to Ards due to Portadown fielding a suspended player; original result was Portadown 3–1 Ards.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37862904|title=Portadown forfeit match against Ards after playing suspended Robert Garrett|date=3 November 2016|work=BBC Sport|access-date=9 April 2017}}}}

| match_POR_BMD = 2–1

| match_POR_BYM = 0–2

| match_POR_CRK = 4–0

| match_POR_CLF = 0–3

| match_POR_COL = 0–1

| match_POR_CRU = 0–1

| match_POR_DUN = 2–0

| match_POR_GLV = 3–0{{efn|name=fn3|Match awarded 3–0 to Portadown due to Glenavon fielding a suspended player; original result was 2–2 draw.{{cite news|url=http://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/glenavon-appeal-ifa-ruling-david-12414780|title=Glenavon to appeal IFA ruling on David Elebert|date=6 January 2017|work=BelfastLive|access-date=13 January 2017}}}}

| match_POR_GLT = 0–1

| match_POR_LIN = 0–5

}}

{{notelist}}

{{col-2}}

During matches 23–33 each team played every other team for the third time (either at home, or away).

{{#invoke:sports results|main

| source = [https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nil2017.html RSSSF]

| update = complete

| a_note = yes

| matches_style = FBR

| team1= ARD | team2= BMD | team3= BYM | team4= CRK | team5= CLF | team6= COL | team7= CRU | team8= DUN | team9= GLV | team10= GLT | team11= LIN | team12= POR

| name_ARD = Ards

| name_BMD = Ballinamallard United

| name_BYM = Ballymena United

| name_CRK = Carrick Rangers

| name_CLF = Cliftonville

| name_COL = Coleraine

| name_CRU = Crusaders

| name_DUN = Dungannon Swifts

| name_GLV = Glenavon

| name_GLT = Glentoran

| name_LIN = Linfield

| name_POR = Portadown

| match_ARD_BMD = 2–0

| match_ARD_BYM = 4–2

| match_ARD_CRK = 0–4

| match_ARD_CLF =—

| match_ARD_COL =—

| match_ARD_CRU = 2–4

| match_ARD_DUN =—

| match_ARD_GLV = 1–0

| match_ARD_GLT = 1–3

| match_ARD_LIN =—

| match_ARD_POR =—

| match_BMD_ARD =—

| match_BMD_BYM = 1–2

| match_BMD_CRK =—

| match_BMD_CLF = 1–0

| match_BMD_COL = 1–2

| match_BMD_CRU =—

| match_BMD_DUN =—

| match_BMD_GLV =—

| match_BMD_GLT =—

| match_BMD_LIN = 1–2

| match_BMD_POR = 1–0

| match_BYM_ARD =—

| match_BYM_BMD =—

| match_BYM_CRK = 3–1

| match_BYM_CLF =—

| match_BYM_COL = 1–1

| match_BYM_CRU =—

| match_BYM_DUN = 3–2

| match_BYM_GLV = 3–4

| match_BYM_GLT = 2–4

| match_BYM_LIN =—

| match_BYM_POR = 3–0

| match_CRK_ARD =—

| match_CRK_BMD = 1–2

| match_CRK_BYM =—

| match_CRK_CLF =—

| match_CRK_COL =—

| match_CRK_CRU =—

| match_CRK_DUN = 0–1

| match_CRK_GLV = 0–0

| match_CRK_GLT =—

| match_CRK_LIN = 0–2

| match_CRK_POR = 3–2

| match_CLF_ARD = 2–1

| match_CLF_BMD =—

| match_CLF_BYM = 2–1

| match_CLF_CRK = 0–0

| match_CLF_COL = 0–0

| match_CLF_CRU =—

| match_CLF_DUN =—

| match_CLF_GLV =—

| match_CLF_GLT = 1–1

| match_CLF_LIN =—

| match_CLF_POR = 3–0

| match_COL_ARD = 3–1

| match_COL_BMD =—

| match_COL_BYM =—

| match_COL_CRK = 2–0

| match_COL_CLF =—

| match_COL_CRU = 1–0

| match_COL_DUN = 2–1

| match_COL_GLV =—

| match_COL_GLT = 2–0

| match_COL_LIN =—

| match_COL_POR = 4–2

| match_CRU_ARD =—

| match_CRU_BMD = 3–1

| match_CRU_BYM = 2–1

| match_CRU_CRK = 3–0

| match_CRU_CLF = 1–0

| match_CRU_COL =—

| match_CRU_DUN =—

| match_CRU_GLV =—

| match_CRU_GLT =—

| match_CRU_LIN = 1–2

| match_CRU_POR =—

| match_DUN_ARD = 3–3

| match_DUN_BMD = 2–2

| match_DUN_BYM =—

| match_DUN_CRK =—

| match_DUN_CLF = 2–2

| match_DUN_COL =—

| match_DUN_CRU = 1–2

| match_DUN_GLV =—

| match_DUN_GLT =—

| match_DUN_LIN = 1–4

| match_DUN_POR =—

| match_GLV_ARD =—

| match_GLV_BMD = 3–0

| match_GLV_BYM =—

| match_GLV_CRK =—

| match_GLV_CLF = 2–2

| match_GLV_COL = 1–2

| match_GLV_CRU = 0–1

| match_GLV_DUN = 2–0

| match_GLV_GLT =—

| match_GLV_LIN = 1–2

| match_GLV_POR =—

| match_GLT_ARD =—

| match_GLT_BMD = 0–1

| match_GLT_BYM =—

| match_GLT_CRK = 1–0

| match_GLT_CLF =—

| match_GLT_COL =—

| match_GLT_CRU = 0–3

| match_GLT_DUN = 2–2

| match_GLT_GLV = 0–0

| match_GLT_LIN = 0–1

| match_GLT_POR =—

| match_LIN_ARD = 5–1

| match_LIN_BMD =—

| match_LIN_BYM = 2–0

| match_LIN_CRK =—

| match_LIN_CLF = 2–0

| match_LIN_COL = 0–1

| match_LIN_CRU =—

| match_LIN_DUN =—

| match_LIN_GLV =—

| match_LIN_GLT =—

| match_LIN_POR = 1–1

| match_POR_ARD = 0–3

| match_POR_BMD =—

| match_POR_BYM =—

| match_POR_CRK =—

| match_POR_CLF =—

| match_POR_COL =—

| match_POR_CRU = 1–1

| match_POR_DUN = 0–1

| match_POR_GLV = 1–2

| match_POR_GLT = 0–5

| match_POR_LIN =—

}}

{{col-end}}