The 2016–17 season was Nottingham Forest's 151st season in existence and 9th consecutive season in the Championship since promotion in 2007–08.[5] In addition to the Championship, the club participated in the FA Cup and the newly rebranded EFL Cup. The season covers the period from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017.
On 18 May a change of ownership of Nottingham Forest Football Club from Fawaz Al-Hasawi to a Greek consortium, led by Olympiacos owner and shipping magnate Evangelos Marinakis, was completed as Fawaz Al-Hasawi sold 100% of his stake in the club for an undisclosed sum. Marinakis completed the deal in partnership with Sokratis Kominakis, and the duo immediately announced the appointments of leading sports lawyer Nicholas Randall QC as Chairman, Olympiacos' Managing Director Loannis Vrentzos as CEO, and David Cook, formerly of Celtic and Everton, as Chief Commercial Officer.[6][7]
^Please note that this section includes players in or out from date commencing 9 June 2016; the date that the UK Summer transfer window opened.[23]
^The Nottingham Post reported Vellios' fee to be €1,200,000; approximately £950,000 in Pound Sterling.[24][25]
^The Nottingham Post reported Licá's transfer fee to have been £300,000.[34]
^Clough's transfer fee was reported by the Nottingham Post to be greater than £3,000,000.[37]
^Burke's transfer fee was reported by the BBC to be £13,000,000; a record fee for a Scottish player and a club record sale for Nottingham Forest Football Club.[56]
^Lansbury's transfer fee was reported by the Nottingham Post and Sky Sports to have been £3,000,000.[61][62]
Source: English Football League, Soccerway Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Points in head-to-head matches; 5) Goal difference in head-to-head matches; 6) Goals scored in head-to-head matches; 7) Play-off. (R) Relegated
On Wednesday 22 June 2016, The Football League released the opening fixtures list for the 2016–17 EFL Cup. Forest opened their campaign away at League Two side Doncaster Rovers.[94]