1997 Campeonato Nacional Primera División

Primera División
Season1997
Dates15 February 1997 - 21 December 1997
Teams16
ChampionsUniversidad Católica (Apertura), Colo-Colo (Clausura)
RelegatedUnión Española
Deportes Antofagasta
Copa LibertadoresQuarterfinals:
Universidad Católica
Semifinals:
Colo-Colo
Supercopa SudamericanaSemifinals:
Colo-Colo
Copa CONMEBOLFirst Round:
Universidad de Chile
Top goalscorerApertura:
David Bisconti (15)
Clausura:
Richard Báez (10)
1996
1998

The 1997 tournament of the Primera División de Chile was based in the typical Apertura-Clausura scheme used in many football leagues in Latin-America, similar to the Argentinian First Division. For the first time, this format, with two champions, was used. This tournament format was dropped for the next season (1998), but came back, from 2002 to 2017.

Both champions qualified for the Copa Libertadores, while the two teams with fewest points overall relegated. The season started on 16 February 1997 and ended on 21 December 1997.