The 1996–97 Albanian National Championship was the 58th season of the Albanian National Championship, the top professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1930.
The championship was interrupted after 17th round due to the economic-political crisis in Albania in 1997 and was completed in August.
Instead the regular second half, the final play-off phase was played, with the 18 teams were divided into 3 groups of 6 according to standings after the 17 rounds.
Played in Kavajë and Durrës.
Played in Elbasan.