Qualification phase The NLB was contested by 12 teams with each team playing each other twice in the qualification phase. The first stage began on 13 July 1996 and was completed on 23 November. The division was then separated into a NLA/NLB promotion/relegation group and a relegation group to the 1. Liga. The top four teams would play for promotion and the last eight teams would play against relegation.
Table Promotion/relegation group NLA/NLB The teams in the ninth to twelfth positions in Nationalliga A competed with the top four teams of the Nationalliga B in a Nationalliga A/B promotion/relegation round. The top four teams would play in the top-tier the following season, the other four would play in the second tier.
Table Results Relegation group NLB/1. Liga The last eight teams of the qualification phase competed in the relegation group against relegation to the 1. Liga. The teams took half of the points (rounded up to complete units) gained in the qualification as bonus with them. At the end of the season the two bottom placed teams would be relegated to the
1996–97 Swiss 1. Liga.
Table ==Attendances==