1996–97 Albanian National Championship
The 1996–97 Albanian National Championship was the 58th season of the Albanian National Championship, the top professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1930.
The championship was interrupted after 17th round due to the economic-political crisis in Albania in 1997 and was completed in August. Instead the regular second half, the final play-off phase was played, with the 18 teams were divided into 3 groups of 6 according to standings after the 17 rounds.
Teams
Stadia and last season
| Team | Location | Stadium | Capacity | Last season |
| Albpetrol | Patos | Alush Noga Stadium | 2,150 | 11th |
| Apolonia | Fier | Loni Papuçiu Stadium | 10,000 | 6th |
| Besa | Kavajë | Besa Stadium | 8,000 | 7th |
| Bylis | Ballsh | Adush Muça Stadium | 6,000 | Second Division |
| Elbasani | Elbasan | Ruzhdi Bizhuta Stadium | 15,000 | 13th |
| Flamurtari | Vlorë | Flamurtari Stadium | 15,000 | 4th |
| Laçi | Laç | Laçi Stadium | 5,000 | 12th |
| Lushnja | Lushnjë | Abdurrahman Roza Haxhiu Stadium | 12,000 | Second Division |
| Olimpik | Tirana | Qemal Stafa Stadium | 19,700 | 5th |
| Partizani | Tirana | Qemal Stafa Stadium | 19,700 | 3rd |
| Skënderbeu | Korçë | Skënderbeu Stadium | 12,000 | 16th |
| Sopoti | Librazhd | Sopoti Stadium | 3,000 | 8th |
| Shkumbini | Peqin | Shkumbini Stadium | 6,000 | 9th |
| Shqiponja | Gjirokastër | Gjirokastër Stadium | 9,000 | 15th |
| Teuta | Durrës | Niko Dovana Stadium | 12,040 | 2nd |
| Tirana | Tirana | Qemal Stafa Stadium | 19,700 | Champions |
| Tomori | Berat | Tomori Stadium | 14,750 | 14th |
| Vllaznia | Shkodër | Loro Boriçi Stadium | 15,000 | 10th |