| Year: | 1996 |
| Team: | Akron Zips |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Mid-American Conference |
| Short Conf: | MAC |
| Record: | 4–7 |
| Conf Record: | 3–5 |
| Head Coach: | Lee Owens |
| Hc Year: | 2nd |
| Stadium: | Rubber Bowl |
The 1996 Akron Zips football team represented Akron University in the 1996 NCAA Division I-A football season as members of the Mid-American Conference. They were led by second–year head coach Lee Owens. The Zips played their home games at the Rubber Bowl in Akron, Ohio. They finished the season with a record of 4–7, 3–5 in MAC play to finish in a three-way tie for sixth place.