The 1996 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship was the 110th staging of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, the Gaelic Athletic Association's premier inter-county hurling tournament. The draw for the various provincial championships took place on 22 October 1995. The championship ran from 5 May to 1 September 1996.

Clare were the defending champions, however, they were beaten by Limerick in the Munster semi-finals.

The All-Ireland final was played on 1 September 1996 at Croke Park in Dublin, between Wexford and Limerick, in what was their third meeting in the final overall, a first meeting in the final in 78 years and a first championship meeting in 41 years. Wexford won the match by 1–13 to 0–14 to claim their sixth All-Ireland title overall and a first title in 26 years.

Limerick's Gary Kirby was the championship's top scorer with 1–35. Wexford's Larry O'Gorman was named Hurler of the Year.

Promoted from the All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship

Entered Championship

Regraded to the All-Ireland Senior B Hurling Championship

The following players made their début in the 1996 championship: