The 1996 Fed Cup was the 34th edition of a competition between national teams in women's tennis. The final took place at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey in the United States on 28–29 September, with the United States defeating Spain to give the USA their 15th title.
World Group
Draw
World Group play-offs
The four losing teams in the World Group first round ties (Argentina, Austria, Germany and South Africa), and four winners of the World Group II ties (Belgium, Czech Republic, Netherlands and Slovakia) entered the draw for the World Group play-offs.
Date: 13–14 July
World Group II
The World Group II was the second highest level of Fed Cup competition in 1996. Winners advanced to the World Group play-offs, and loser played in the World Group II play-offs.
Date: 27–28 April
World Group II play-offs
The four losing teams from World Group II (Australia, Bulgaria, Canada and Indonesia) played off against qualifiers from Zonal Group I. Two teams qualified from Europe/Africa Zone (Croatia and Switzerland), one team from the Asia/Oceania Zone (South Korea), and one team from the Americas Zone (Chile).
Date: 13–14 July
Americas Zone
Nations in bold advanced to the higher level of competition. Nations in italics were relegated down to a lower level of competition.
Group I
Venue: Club Palestino, Santiago, Chile (outdoor clay)
Dates: 22–28 April
Participating Teams
Group II
Venue: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (outdoor clay)
Dates: 6–12 May
Participating Teams
Asia/Oceania Zone
Nations in bold advanced to the higher level of competition. Nations in italics were relegated down to a lower level of competition.
Group I
Venue: 700 Years Anniversary Complex, Chiang Mai, Thailand (outdoor hard)
Dates: 21–24 February
Participating Teams
Group II
Venue: 700 Years Anniversary Complex, Chiang Mai, Thailand (outdoor hard)
Dates: 19–24 January
Participating Teams
Pacific Oceania
Europe/Africa Zone
Nations in bold advanced to the higher level of competition. Nations in italics were relegated down to a lower level of competition.
Group I
Venue: La Manga Club, Murcia, Spain (outdoor clay)
Dates: 22–24 April
Participating Teams
Group II
Venue: Ramat HaSharon, Israel (outdoor hard)