| Competition: | Hong Kong First Division |
| Season: | 1996–97 |
| Winners: | South China |
| Relegated: | Eastern |
| Matches: | 84 |
| Total Goals: | 280 |
| Seasonslistnames: | Hong Kong First Division League |
| Prevseason: | 1995–96 |
| Nextseason: | 1997–98 |
The 1996–97 Hong Kong First Division League season was the 86th since its establishment. The season began on 7 September 1996 and ended on 8 June 1997.