In the preliminary round, Djurgårdens IF played
Mariebergs IK at home in
Stockholm on 14 August 1917 and won, 3–2.[1] On 2 September 1917, Djurgården won the away-game quarter-final against
Sandvikens AIK, 6–1 in
Gävle.[1] Djurgården then played
IFK Göteborg in the semi-final, where the match at home on 21 October 1917 ended in a goalless draw and the away-game replay in
Gothenburg on 4 November 1917 was won, 2–1.[1]
Djurgårdens IF made their ninth appearance in a
Svenska Mästerskapet final, having won two and lost six, including one to final opponents AIK in
1916.[2]
In the preliminary round, AIK at home beat
Örgryte IS, 5–1, on 12 August 1917.[1] On 2 September 1917, AIK won the quarter-final against
IFK Eskilstuna at home with 2–0.[1] AIK then won the away-game semi-final against
IK Sirius of
Uppsala with 1–0 on 23 September 1917.[1]
AIK were reigning champions by winning the
previous final against final opponents Djurgården and made their seventh appearance in a
Svenska Mästerskapet final, having won five, including the one against final opponents Djurgården, and lost one.[2]
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