The Swiss Football Association (ASF/SFV) had 28 member clubs at this time and these were divided into two divisions of 14 teams each.
The teams played a double round-robin to decide their table positions.
The champions would qualify for the 1957–58 European Cup and the last two teams in the league table at the end of the season were to be relegated.
However, it required a play-off to decide the title as NLB champions and this took place on 23 June 1957 at the Stadion Neufeld in Bern. '
Due to the egality a replay was required and this was played on 30 June at the Stadion Allmend in Luzern.