2016 China League One

The 2016 China League One () was the 13th season of the China League One, the second tier of the Chinese football league pyramid, since its establishment in 2004. The league's title sponsor is the e-commerce website 58.com.

Teams

A total of 16 teams are contesting in the league, including 12 sides from the 2015 season, two relegated from the 2015 Chinese Super League and two promoted from the 2015 China League Two.

Teams promoted from 2015 China League Two

Teams relegated to 2016 China League Two

Tianjin Songjiang F.C. changed their name to Tianjin Quanjian F.C. in December 2015.
Dalian Aerbin F.C. changed their name to Dalian Yifang F.C. in December 2015.
Qingdao Hainiu F.C. changed their name to Qingdao Huanghai F.C. in December 2015.
Guizhou Zhicheng F.C. changed their name to Guizhou Hengfeng Zhicheng F.C. in January 2016.
Meizhou Kejia F.C. changed their name to Meizhou Hakka F.C. in January 2016.
Guizhou Renhe F.C. moved to the city of Beijing and changed their name to Beijing Renhe F.C. in January 2016.
Harbin Yiteng moved to the city of Shaoxing and changed their name to Zhejiang Yiteng F.C. in January 2016.

The number of foreign players is limited to three per CL1 team. Teams can use three foreign players on the field each game.

Players name in bold indicates the player is registered during the mid-season transfer window.

Foreign players who left their clubs or were sent to reverse team after the first half of the season.

Hong Kong/Macau/Taiwan outfield players (Contracts signed before 1 January 2016 do not count for the foreign player slot):