The 1996–97 Biathlon World Cup was a multi-race tournament over a season of biathlon, organised by the International Biathlon Union.

The season started on 30 November 1996 in Lillehammer, Norway, and ended on 16 March 1997 in Novosibirsk, Russia.

It was the 20th season of the Biathlon World Cup.

Below is the IBU World Cup calendar for the 1996–97 season.

The following notable biathletes retired after the 1996–97 season: