The draw for the various provincial championships took place on 22 October 1995.

Clare were the defending champions, however, they were beaten by Limerick in the Munster semi-finals.

[1][2][3][4] The All-Ireland final was played on 1 September 1996 at Croke Park in Dublin, between Wexford and Limerick, in what was their third meeting in the final overall, a first meeting in the final in 78 years and a first championship meeting in 41 years.

Limerick's Gary Kirby was the championship's top scorer with 1-35.

Wexford's Larry O'Gorman was named Hurler of the Year.