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 contested a play-off round with finals to decide the three promotion slots.
[8] The decider match for second place was played on 26 May in Wallisellen FC Rüti win and advance to play-offs.
FC Blue Stars Zürich remain in the division.
[8] FC Baden win the replay and are promoted to 1982–83 Nationalliga B.
[8] FC Rüti win 4–2 on aggregate and are promoted to 1982–83 Nationalliga B. SR Delémont remain in 1.
[8] FC Stade Lausanne win 4–3 on aggregate and remain in division.