1996–97 Nationalliga A

Statistics of Swiss National League in the 1996–97 football season.

Overview
The 24 teams of the Swiss Football League (Nationalliga) were divided into two divisions. Both Nationalliga A (NLA) and Nationalliga B (NLB) were contested by 12 teams, with each team playing a double round-robin in the qualification phase. Thereafter, the divisions were divided into a championship group, a NLA/NLB promotion/relegation group and a relegation group NLB/1. Liga, each group with eight teams.

Qualification phase
The first stage of the NLA began on 10 July 1996 and was completed on 1 December. The top eight teams in the qualification phase would advance to the championship group and the last four teams would play against relegation.

Championship group
The first eight teams of the qualification phase competed in the Championship round. The teams took half of the points (rounded up to complete units) gained in the qualification as bonus with them.

Qualification phase
The NLB was contested by 12 teams with each team playing each other twice in the qualification phase. The first stage began on 13 July 1996 and was completed on 23 November. The division was then separated into a NLA/NLB promotion/relegation group and a relegation group to the 1. Liga. The top four teams would play for promotion and the last eight teams would play against relegation.

Promotion/relegation group NLA/NLB
The teams in the ninth to twelfth positions in Nationalliga A competed with the top four teams of Nationalliga B in a Nationalliga A/B promotion/relegation round. The teams played a double round-robin.

Relegation group NLB/1. Liga
The last eight teams of the qualification phase competed in the relegation group against relegation to the 1. Liga. The teams took half of the points (rounded up to complete units) gained in the qualification as bonus with them.