The
Swiss Football Association (ASF/SFV) had 28 members at this time. The clubs were divided into two tiers of 14 teams each. The top tier was named Nationalliga A (NLA) and the second tier was named Nationalliga B (NLB). The format in both divisions was that the teams played a double
round-robin to decide their table positions. Each club playing every other club twice (home and away) for a total of 26 rounds. Two points were awarded for a win and one point was awarded for a draw. The Swiss champions would qualify for the
1981–82 European Cup, the runners-up and third placed team would qualify for the
1981–82 UEFA Cup. There was to be an expansion from 28 to 32 members of the ASF/SFV at the end of this season, with new 16 teams in each division. Therefore, this season would only see one club from the NLA relegated to the second-tier. The top three placed teams in the NLB would be promoted to the top tier. Only one team from the NLB was relegated to
next season's 1. Liga. Five teams from
this season's 1. Liga would be promoted to make up the numbers. ==Nationalliga A==