The 1996–97 Segunda Divisão season was the 63rd season of the competition and the 47th season of recognised third-tier football in Portugal.
[1] The league was contested by 54 teams in 3 divisions with SCU Torreense, FC Maia and CD Nacional winning the respective divisional competitions and gaining promotion to the Liga de Honra.
The overall championship was won by FC Maia.
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