1996–97 Divizia C
The 1996–97 Divizia C was the 41st season of Liga III, the third tier of the Romanian football league system.
Team changes
To Divizia C
Relegated from Divizia BPromoted from Divizia D
- Acumulatorul București
- Electrica Timișoara
- Viitorul Oradea
- Termo Drobeta-Turnu Severin
- Mecanica Mârșa
- Navol Oltenița
- Metalul Filipeștii de Pădure
- Minerul Berbești
- Metalul Toflea
- Romradiatoare Brașov
- Olt 90 Scornicești
- Minerul Baia Sprie
- Unirea Pitești
- CPL Arad
- Electrica Voința Constanța
- Steaua Mecanica Huși
From Divizia C
Promoted to Divizia B- Petrolul Moinești
- Danubiana București
- Precizia Săcele
- CFR Cluj
- Acord Focșani
- Sportul Municipal Vaslui
- CFR Tepro Iași
- Romgal Romanu
- Juventus Colentina București
- Petrolul Roata de Jos
- Petrolul Teleajen Ploiești
- Sportul Studențesc Agrariana Braniștea
- Petrolul Drăgășani
- Constructorul Craiova
- Metalurgistul Sadu
Unirea Alexandria - Minerul Cavnic
- Olimpia Salonta
- Vulturii Lugoj
- Sighetu Marmației
Renamed teams
Unirea 95 Focșani was renamed Vrancea Focșani.Minerul Vatra Dornei was renamed Dorna Vatra Dornei.
FC Arad was renamed Telecom Arad.
Șoimii Compa Sibiu was renamed Șoimii Sibiu.
Other changes
Viromet Victoria took the place of FC Sfântu Gheorghe.Constructorul Reghin took the place of Mureșul Toplița.
Astra Ploiești merged with Danubiana București and takes its place in Divizia B.
Victoria 96 Florești took the place of Astra Ploiești.
FC Caracal and Unirea Alexandria merged, the first one being absorbed by the second one. The new entity was named as FC Alexandria.
Mobila Șimleu Silvaniei took the place of Laminorul Zalău.