| Season: | 1980–81 |
| Competition: | Nationalliga A |
| Winners: | Zürich |
| Relegated: | Chênois |
| Continentalcup1: | European Cup |
| Continentalcup1 Qualifiers: | Zürich |
| Continentalcup2: | Cup Winners' Cup |
| Continentalcup2 Qualifiers: | Lausanne-Sport |
| Continentalcup3: | UEFA Cup |
| Continentalcup3 Qualifiers: | Grasshopper Club Xamax |
| League Topscorer: | Peter Risi (Luzern) 18 goals |
| Prevseason: | 1979–80 |
| Nextseason: | 1981–82 |
| Season: | 1980–81 |
| Competition: | Nationalliga B |
| Winners: | Vevey-Sports |
| Promoted: | Vevey-Sports FC Aarau FC Bulle |
| Relegated: | SC Kriens |
| League Topscorer: | Roland Blanchard (Bulle) Patrick Gavillet (Vevey) both 20 goals |
| Prevseason: | 1979–80 |
| Nextseason: | 1981–82 |
The following is the summary of the Swiss National League in the 1980–81 football season, both Nationalliga A and Nationalliga B. This was the 85th season of top-tier and the 84th season of second-tier football in Switzerland.
The Swiss Football Association (ASF/SFV) had 28 members at this time. The clubs were divided into two tiers of 14 teams each. The top tier was named Nationalliga A (NLA) and the second tier was named Nationalliga B (NLB). The format in both divisions was that the teams played a double round-robin to decide their table positions. Each club playing every other club twice (home and away) for a total of 26 rounds. Two points were awarded for a win and one point was awarded for a draw. The Swiss champions would qualify for the 1981–82 European Cup, the runners-up and third placed team would qualify for the 1981–82 UEFA Cup.
There was to be an expansion from 28 to 32 members of the ASF/SFV at the end of this season, with new 16 teams in each division. Therefore, this season would only see one club from the NLA relegated to the second-tier. The top three placed teams in the NLB would be promoted to the top tier. Only one team from the NLB was relegated to next season's 1. Liga. Five teams from this season's 1. Liga would be promoted to make up the numbers.[1]
The first round of the NLA was played on 23 August 1980. There was a winter break between 6 December and 28 February 1981. The season was completed on 13 June 1981.
The first round of the NLB was played on 23 August 1980. There was a winter break between 6 December and 28 February 1981. The season was completed on 13 June 1981.