2016–17 Top League Challenge Series
| 2016–17 Top League Challenge Series | |
|---|---|
| Countries | Japan |
| Date | 3 December 2016 – 15 January 2017 |
| Champions | NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes (2nd title) |
| Runners-up | Mitsubishi Dynaboars |
| Promoted | NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes |
| Matches played | 12 |
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← 2015–16
2017–18 →
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The 2016–17 Top League Challenge Series was the 2016–17 edition of the Top League Challenge Series, a second-tier rugby union competition in Japan, in which teams from regionalised leagues competed for promotion to the Top League for the 2017–18 season. The competition was contested from 13 December 2016 to 24 January 2017.
NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes won promotion to the 2017–18 Top League, while Hino Red Dolphins, Kyuden Voltex and Mitsubishi Dynaboars progressed to the promotion play-offs. Chubu Electric Power, Chugoku Electric Power, Kamaishi Seawaves and Mazda Blue Zoomers all earned a place in the new 2017–18 Top Challenge League.
The top three teams from the regional , and qualified to the Top League Challenge Series. The regional league winners participated in Challenge 1, the runners-up participated in Challenge 2 and the third-placed teams participated in Challenge 3. The winner of Challenge 2 also progressed to a four-team Challenge 1.
The top team in Challenge 1 won automatic promotion to the 2017–18 Top League, while the other three teams qualified to the promotion play-offs.
The teams qualified to the Challenge 1, Challenge 2 and Challenge 3 series through the 2016 regional leagues.
The final standings for the 2016 Top West League were:
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