The 1996–97 Vyshcha Liha season was the 6th since its establishment. FC Dynamo Kyiv were the defending champions.

Preseason changes

Number of teams in the league was reduced from 18 to 16. Vyshcha Liha became a member of the newly established Professional Football League of Ukraine.

Teams

Promotions

Renamed

Before the start of season CSKA-Borysfen Kyiv was replaced with CSKA Kyiv which played in tier 3. Just before the start of new 1996–97 season a scandal took place related to ownership. Dmytro Zlobenko was removed from the club which with help of the Army was passed to some businessman by name of Mikhail Grinshpon, a president of "Kyiv–Donbas". Concurrently, Mikhail Grinshpon was an adviser to the Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksandr Kuzmuk.

Location

Managers

Notes: Games between Dynamo Kyiv and CSKA Kyiv were played at the Republican Stadium.

Changes

League table

Results

Top goalscorers