The 1996–97 FA Trophy was the twenty-eighth season of the FA Trophy.
First qualifying round
The matches (not including replays) were played on October 19, 1996.
Ties
Replays
2nd replay
Second qualifying round
The matches (no including replays) were played on November 9, 1996.
Ties
Replays
Third qualifying round
The matches (not including replays) were played on November 30, 1996.
Ties
Replays
1st round
The teams that given byes to this round are Macclesfield Town, Stevenage Borough, Woking, Hednesford Town, Gateshead, Southport, Kidderminster Harriers, Northwich Victoria, Morecambe, Farnborough Town, Bromsgrove Rovers, Altrincham, Telford United, Stalybridge Celtic, Halifax Town, Kettering Town, Slough Town, Bath City, Welling United, Dover Athletic, Rushden & Diamonds, Hayes, Methyr Tydfil, Guiseley, Enfield, Hyde United, Halesowen Town, Gresley Rovers, Bamber Bridge, Boston United, Chorley and Boreham Wood.
The matches (not including replays) were played on January 18, 1997.
Ties
Replays
2nd replays
2nd round
The matches (not including replays) were played on February 8, 1997.
Ties
Replays
2nd replay
3rd round
The matches (not including replays) were played on March 1, 1997.
Ties
Replays
2nd replay
4th round
The matches (not including replays) were played on March 22, 1997.
Ties
Replay
Semi-finals
The first legs were played on April 5, 1997, and the second legs were played on April 12, 1997.
First leg
Second leg
Replays
Both replays were held on neutral grounds: the replay between Dagenham & Redbridge and Gloucester City was held at Slough Town, while the one between Stevenage Borough and Woking was at Vicarage Road, home to Watford.
Final
The match was played on May 18, 1997, at Wembley Stadium.