| Competition: | Umaglesi Liga |
| Season: | 1996–97 |
| Dates: | 1 August 1996 – 30 May 1997 |
| Winners: | Dinamo Tbilisi 8th Georgian title |
| Relegated: | Samtredia Kakheti Telavi Iveria Khashuri |
| Continentalcup1: | Champions League |
| Continentalcup1 Qualifiers: | Dinamo Tbilisi |
| Continentalcup2: | UEFA Cup |
| Continentalcup2 Qualifiers: | Kolkheti Poti |
| Continentalcup3: | Cup Winners' Cup |
| Continentalcup3 Qualifiers: | Dinamo Batumi |
| Continentalcup4: | Intertoto Cup |
| Continentalcup4 Qualifiers: | Merani-91 Tbilisi |
| League Topscorer: | Giorgi Demetradze David Ujmajuridze (26) |
| Biggest Home Win: | Dinamo Tbilisi 8–0 Margveti |
| Biggest Away Win: | Margveti 0–6 Dinamo Tbilisi |
| Highest Scoring: | Dinamo Tbilisi 8–2 Kakheti |
| Matches: | 240 |
| Total Goals: | 648 |
| Prevseason: | 1995–96 |
| Nextseason: | 1997–98 |
The 1996–97 Umaglesi Liga was the eighth season of top-tier football in Georgia. It began on 1 August 1996 and ended on 30 May 1997. Dinamo Tbilisi were the defending champions.
| Rank | Goalscorer | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Ujmajuridze | Dinamo Batumi | 26 |
| Giorgi Demetradze | Dinamo Tbilisi | 26 | |
| 3 | Mikheil Ashvetia | Torpedo Kutaisi | 24 |
| 4 | Vladimir Gabedava | Odishi Zugdidi | 18 |
| Levan Khomeriki | Dinamo Tbilisi | 18 | |
| 6 | Giorgi Daraselia | Kolkheti-1913 Poti | 15 |
| 7 | Merab Megreladze | Torpedo Kutaisi | 13 |
| Nugzar Mikaberidze | Kolkheti-1913 Poti | 13 | |
| 9 | Badri Kvaratskhelia | Merani-91 Tbilisi | 11 |
| Mamuka Ukleba | Margveti Zestafoni | 11 | |
| Rostom Torgashvili | Dinamo Batumi | 11 |