Unlike in most other national leagues, the Afghan Premier League was played in a combined form of group stage and subsequent final round with semi-finals, third place play-off and the final. The eight clubs were drawn into two groups of four teams each and each played once against each other in the group. The game was played according to the 3-point rule (three points per win, one point per draw). The table was determined according to the following criteria:
Number of points scored
Goal difference from all games
Number of goals in all games
Number of points scored in direct comparison
Goal difference in direct comparison
Number of goals in direct comparison
Drawing lots
The two group winners and runners-reached the semi-finals, which in aggregate draw was held. The game for third place and the final were each decided in one game. If there was a tie in the final round, the away goals rule was not applied, instead an extra time was always played and then the penalty shoot- out was carried out if necessary .
At the end of the season, the winner of the final qualified for the second qualifying round of the AFC Cup 2018 . There is no relegation from the Afghan Premier League.