The 1996–97 English Premiership (known as the Courage League National 1 for sponsorship reasons) was the tenth season of the top flight of rugby union in England.

It was the first professional season in English rugby union history.

Wasps were the champions, with a winning margin of six points above Bath, the runners–up.

West Hartlepool and Orrell were relegated to National Division 2.

[1] It was the tenth and final season of sponsorship by Courage.