1996–97 Eerste Divisie
The Dutch Eerste Divisie in the 1996–97 season was contested by 18 teams. MVV won the championship.
New entrants
Relegated from the 1995–96 EredivisiePromotion/relegation play-offs
In the promotion/relegation competition, eight entrants entered in two groups. The group winners were promoted to the Eredivisie.Attendances
| # | Club | Average |
| 1 | Emmen | 5,704 |
| 2 | Cambuur | 4,944 |
| 3 | MVV | 4,684 |
| 4 | Go Ahead | 4,458 |
| 5 | Veendam | 4,069 |
| 6 | Zwolle | 3,600 |
| 7 | ADO | 3,279 |
| 8 | VVV | 3,103 |
| 9 | Oss | 2,361 |
| 10 | Eindhoven | 2,203 |
| 11 | Heracles | 2,115 |
| 12 | Den Bosch | 2,087 |
| 13 | Helmond | 2,017 |
| 14 | Dordrecht | 1,700 |
| 15 | RBC | 1,644 |
| 16 | Haarlem | 1,594 |
| 17 | Telstar | 1,376 |
| 18 | Excelsior | 1,049 |
Source: