1996–97 Danish 1st Division

The 1996–97 Danish 1st Division season was the 52nd season of the Danish 1st Division league championship and the 11th consecutive as a second tier competition governed by the Danish Football Association.

The division-champion and runner-up promoted to the 1997–98 Danish Superliga. The teams in the 13th to 16th spots relegated to the 1997–98 Danish 2nd Division.