1996–97 Swiss 1. Liga

The '''1996–97 Swiss 1. Liga''' was the 65th season of this league since its creation in 1931. At this time, the 1. Liga was the third tier of the Swiss football league system and it was the highest level of amateur football.

Format
There were 56 clubs in the 1. Liga, divided into four regional groups of 14 teams. Within each group, the teams would play a double round-robin to decide their league position. The four group winners and the four runners-up then contested a play-off for the two promotion slots. The two last placed teams in each group were directly relegated to the 2. Liga (fourth tier). The four third-last placed teams would compete a play-out against the ninth relegation place.

Qualification round
 Serrières win 4–3 on aggregate and continue to the finals.

 Thun win 3–1 on aggregate and continue to the finals.

 Tuggen win 8–1 on aggregate and continue to the finals.

 SV Schaffhausen win 3–1 on aggregate and continue to the finals.

Final round
 Thun win 2–1 on aggregate and are promoted to Nationalliga B.

'' 4–4 on aggregate. SV Schaffhausen win on away goals and are promoted to Nationalliga B.''

First round
 Bex continue to the final.

 FC Dübendorf continue to the final.

Final round
'' Bex win 8–5 on aggregate. FC Dübendorf are relegated to 2. Liga.''