The 1996 Chinese Jia-A League (known as Marlboro Jia-A League for sponsorship reasons) was the third season of professional association football and the 35th top-tier overall league season held in China. Starting on April 14, 1996, and ending on October 27, 1996, saw Dalian Wanda win their second championship title.

Teams promoted from 1995 Chinese Jia-B League

• Shenzhen Feiyada
• Guangzhou Songri

Teams relegated from 1995 Chinese Jia-A League

• Qingdao Hainiu
• Liaoning F.C.

It was contested by 12 teams, and Dalian Wanda won the championship.

Player of the year (Golden Ball Award)

• Su Maozhen (Jinan Taishan Jiangjun)

Top scorer (Golden Boot Award)

• Su Maozhen (Jinan Taishan Jiangjun)

Manager of the year

• Chi Shangbin (Dalian Wanda)

Best Referee

• Lu Jun

CFA Team of the Year

Goalkeeper: Han Wenhai (Dalian Wanda)
Defence: Wei Qun (Sichuan Quanxing), Xu Hong (Dalian Wanda), Zhang Enhua (Dalian Wanda), Wu Chengying (Shanghai Shenhua)
Midfield: Peng Weiguo (Guangzhou Songri), Fan Zhiyi (Shanghai Shenhua), Ma Mingyu (Guangdong Hongyuan), Cao Xiandong ()
Attack: Hao Haidong (August 1), Gao Feng (Beijing Guoan),

• Chinese Jia-A League
• Chinese Super League
• Chinese Football Association Jia League
• Chinese Football Association Yi League
• Chinese FA Cup
• Chinese Football Association
• Football in China
• List of football records in China
• Chinese clubs in the AFC Champions League

• China - List of final tables (RSSSF)