The 1996 season of the 3. divisjon, the fourth highest association football league for men in Norway. Between 22 and 24 games (depending on group size) were played in 19 groups, with 3 points given for wins and 1 for draws. All group winners were promoted to the 2. divisjon, as well as some of the best runners-up. Tables Group 1 Råde – promoted Sprint-Jeløy – promoted Grue Kolbotn Rygge Trysil Kongsvinger 2 Brandval Moss 2 Nordby Flisa – relegated Oppegård – relegated Galterud – relegated Group 2 Østsiden – promoted Mercantile – promoted Hafslund Skeid 2 Lisleby Tune Oppsal Fagerborg Greåker KFUM Bækkelaget – relegated Nordstrand – relegated Group 3 Gjøvik-Lyn – promoted Eidsvold Turn – promoted Vardal Aurskog/Finstadbru Kolbu/KK Trøgstad/Båstad Sørumsand Kvik Halden Toten Hærland Askim – relegated Blaker – relegated Biri – relegated Group 4 Lørenskog – promoted Stange Rælingen Vinstra Follebu Sel Fart Bjerke Lillehammer FK Nittedal Hammerseng – relegated Nes – relegated Group 5 Årvoll – promoted Asker Stabæk Drafn Gjelleråsen Birkebeineren Åmot Holmen Grorud Høybråten og Stovner – relegated Steinberg – relegated Skiold – relegated Group 6 Stokke – promoted Langesund Skotfoss Snøgg Urædd Rjukan Flint Borre Kragerø Storm Holmestrand – relegated Stathelle – relegated Group 7 Jerv – promoted Larvik Turn – promoted Øyestad Randesund Sørfjell Tjølling Lyngdal Kvinesdal Mandalskameratene Fram Nesjar – relegated Giv Akt – relegated Group 8 Sola – promoted Staal Stavanger Ulf-Sandnes (-> Sandnes FK) Varhaug Figgjo Egersund Nærbø Hundvåg Ganddal – relegated Riska – relegated Bjerkreim – relegated Group 9 Trott – promoted Odda Åkra Nord Bremnes Buøy Radøy Skjold Solid Torvastad – relegated Voss – relegated Erdal – relegated Group 10 Brann 2 – promoted Vadmyra Ny-Krohnborg Nymark Follese Hovding Bjørnar Florvåg Austrheim Lyngbø – relegated Bjarg – relegated Telavåg – relegated Group 11 Førde – promoted Sogndal 2 Tornado Florø Fjøra Jotun Eid Sandane Jølster Høyang Anga Måløy – relegated Vik – relegated Group 12 Volda – promoted Velledalen og Ringen Bergsøy Hødd 2 Hareid Aksla Stranda Langevåg Valder Spjelkavik Vartdal – relegated Åram – relegated Group 13 Træff – promoted Averøykameratene – promoted Kristiansund Clausenengen Kvass/Ulvungen Tomrefjord Bryn Sunndal Ekko/Aureosen Surnadal Isfjorden Søya Group 14 Nidelv – promoted Hitra Singsås Tynset KIL/Hemne Røros NTHI Strindheim 2 Fosen Brekken HIL/Fevåg – relegated Rissa – relegated Group 15 Ranheim – promoted Kvamskameratene Heimdal Vinne Bangsund Nessegutten (-> Levanger FK) Sverre (-> Levanger FK) Tranabakkan Fram Sverresborg –