The 1996 Cal State Northridge Matadors football team represented California State University, Northridge as a member of the Big Sky Conference during the 1996 NCAA Division I-AA football season.
Both teams has been members of the American West Conference (AWC), which folded after the 1995 season.
Led by Dave Baldwin in his second and final season as head coach, Cal State Northridge compiled an overall record of 7–4 with a mark of 4–3 in conference play, tying for third place in the Big Sky.
Two of the Matador's conference wins came against ranked opponents, Weber State and Eastern Washington.
The Matadors played home games at North Campus Stadium in Northridge, California.