2016–17 National League
The 2016–17 National League season, known as the Vanarama National League for sponsorship reasons, was the second season under the new title of National League, thirteenth season consisting of three divisions and the thirty-eighth season overall.
The National League covers the top two levels of non-League football in England. The National League is the fifth highest level of the overall pyramid, while the National League North and National League South exist at the sixth level. The top team and the winner of the play-off of the Premier division will be promoted to League Two, while the bottom four are relegated to the North or South divisions. The champions of the North and South divisions will be promoted to the Premier division, alongside the play-off winners from each division. The bottom three in each of the North and South divisions are relegated to the premier divisions of the Northern Premier League, Isthmian League or Southern League. The fixtures were announced on 6 July 2016.
National League
Promotion and relegation
The following teams changed divisions after the 2015–16 season. Solihull Moors were the first team to be promotedafter North Ferriby United's 2–0 loss to Stalybridge Celtic on 13 April 2016 clinched them the National League North title. This will be their first season in the National League. Sutton United were promoted on 23 April 2016 after a 2–0 win over Chelmsford City, returning to the league for the first time in sixteen years.
Dagenham & Redbridge were relegated from League Two on 16 April 2016 after their 3–2 loss to Leyton Orient returning to the fifth tier after nine years in the Football League. York City were relegated on 23 April after their 3–0 loss to Accrington Stanley, returning to the league for the first time since the 2011–12 season. North Ferriby United's 2–1 win over AFC Fylde and Maidstone United's win on penalties over Ebbsfleet United made them the National League North and National League South play-off winners respectively. It is the first time both teams have competed in the league.
The six teams replace Cheltenham Town, Grimsby Town, FC Halifax Town, Altrincham, Kidderminster Harriers and Welling United. Cheltenham Town were promoted back to League Two at their first attempt after beating FC Halifax Town 2–0 on 16 April 2016. Grimsby Town were promoted back to the Football League after beating Forest Green Rovers 3–1 in the 2015–16 National League play-off final. Kidderminster Harriers and Welling United were relegated on the same day after defeats to Barrow and Chester.
On the final day of the season, Altrincham were relegated after losing 3–0 to Braintree Town, ending their two-year stay in the league. FC Halifax Town's 1–1 draw against Macclesfield Town was not enough to save them after Guiseley's 4–3 win over Torquay United, ending their three-year stay in the league.
Team changes
To National League
Promoted from 2015–16 National League NorthPromoted from 2015–16 National League South
Relegated from 2015–16 League Two
From National League
Relegated to [|2016–17 National League North]Relegated to [|2016–17 National League South]
Promoted to 2016–17 League Two
Stadia and locations
League table
Top scorers
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
| 1 | Ricky Miller | Dover Athletic | 40 |
| 2 | Christian Doidge | Forest Green Rovers | 25 |
| 3 | Andy Cook | Tranmere Rovers | 23 |
| 4 | Michael Cheek | Braintree Town | 19 |
| 4 | Byron Harrison | Barrow | 19 |
| 5 | Oliver Hawkins | Dagenham & Redbridge | 18 |
| 5 | Danny Johnson | Gateshead | 18 |
| 8 | James Alabi | Chester | 17 |
| 8 | Gozie Ugwu | Woking | 17 |
| 9 | Richie Bennett | Barrow | 15 |
| 9 | Matt Rhead | Lincoln City | 15 |
| 9 | Corey Whitely | Dagenham & Redbridge | 15 |
National League North
Team changes
To National League North
Promoted from 2015–16 Northern Premier League Premier DivisionRelegated from 2015–16 National League
From National League North
Relegated to 2016–17 Northern Premier League Premier DivisionRelegated to 2016–17 Isthmian League Premier Division
Promoted to 2016–17 National League
Stadia and locations
| Team | Stadium | Capacity |
| AFC Fylde | Mill Farm Sports Village | 6,000 |
| AFC Telford United | New Bucks Head | 6,300 |
| Alfreton Town | North Street | 3,600 |
| Altrincham | Moss Lane | 6,085 |
| Boston United | York Street | 6,643 |
| Brackley Town | St. James Park | 3,500 |
| Bradford Park Avenue | Horsfall Stadium | 3,500 |
| Chorley | Victory Park | 4,100 |
| Curzon Ashton | Tameside Stadium | 4,000 |
| Darlington 1883 | Blackwell Meadows | 3,000 |
| FC Halifax Town | The Shay | 14,061 |
| F.C. United of Manchester | Broadhurst Park | 4,400 |
| Gainsborough Trinity | The Northolme | 4,304 |
| Gloucester City | Whaddon Road | 7,066 |
| Harrogate Town | Wetherby Road | 3,800 |
| Kidderminster Harriers | Aggborough Stadium | 6,238 |
| Nuneaton Town | Liberty Way | 4,314 |
| Salford City | Moor Lane | 5,106 |
| Stalybridge Celtic | Bower Fold | 6,500 |
| Stockport County | Edgeley Park | 10,852 |
| Tamworth | The Lamb Ground | 4,000 |
| Worcester City | Victoria Ground | 4,895 |
League table
Top scorers
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
| 1 | Danny Rowe | AFC Fylde | 47 |
| 2 | Danny Newton | Tamworth | 28 |
| 3 | Simon Ainge | Harrogate Town | 22 |
| 4 | Danny Lloyd | Stockport County | 21 |
| 5 | Joe Ironside | Nuneaton Town | 20 |
| 6 | Luke Hopper | Gloucester City | 19 |
| 7 | Dan Bradley | AFC Fylde | 18 |
| 7 | Mark Beck | Darlington 1883 | 18 |
| 9 | Tom Denton | FC Halifax Town | 17 |
National League South
Team changes
To National League South
Promoted from 2015–16 Isthmian League Premier DivisionPromoted from 2015–16 Southern League Premier Division
Relegated from 2015–16 National League
From National League South
Relegated to 2016–17 Isthmian League Premier DivisionRelegated to 2016–17 Southern League Premier Division
Promoted to 2016–17 National League
Stadia and locations
| Team | Stadium | Capacity |
| Bath City | Twerton Park | 8,840 |
| Bishop's Stortford | Woodside Park | 4,525 |
| Chelmsford City | Melbourne Stadium | 3,019 |
| Concord Rangers | Thames Road | 3,300 |
| Dartford | Princes Park | 4,100 |
| Eastbourne Borough | Priory Lane | 4,151 |
| East Thurrock United | Rookery Hill | 4,000 |
| Ebbsfleet United | Stonebridge Road | 5,011 |
| Gosport Borough | Privett Park | 4,500 |
| Hampton & Richmond | Beveree Stadium | 3,500 |
| Hemel Hempstead Town | Vauxhall Road | 3,152 |
| Hungerford Town | Bulpit Lane | 2,500 |
| Maidenhead United | York Road | 3,000 |
| Margate | Hartsdown Park | 3,000 |
| Oxford City | Court Place Farm | 2,000 |
| Poole Town | Tatnam Ground | 2,500 |
| St Albans City | Clarence Park | 4,500 |
| Truro City | Treyew Road | 3,857 |
| Wealdstone | Grosvenor Vale | 3,607 |
| Welling United | Park View Road | 4,000 |
| Weston-super-Mare | Woodspring Stadium | 3,500 |
| Whitehawk | The Enclosed Ground | 2,175 |
League table
Top scorers
| Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
| 1 | Dave Tarpey | Maidenhead United | 44 |
| 2 | Jake Robinson | Hemel Hempstead Town | 25 |
| 3 | Shaun Jeffers | Chelmsford City | 21 |
| 4 | Adam Coombes | Welling United | 20 |
| 4 | Elliott Romain | Eastbourne Borough | 20 |
| 5 | Dayle Grubb | Weston-super-Mare | 19 |
| 5 | Tom Wraight | East Thurrock United | 19 |
| 8 | Steve Cawley | Concord Rangers | 18 |
| 9 | Bradley Ash | Weston-super-Mare | 16 |
| 9 | Elliot Benyon | Wealdstone | 16 |
| 9 | Nicke Kabamba | Hampton & Richmond Borough | 16 |
| 9 | Sean Marks | Maidenhead United | 16 |
| 9 | Danny Mills | Whitehawk | 16 |