The season 1985/86 was the 48th regular season of the National League A . In the playoff final, HC Lugano prevailed against HC Davos and became Swiss champions . The voluntary descent of the EHC Arosa caused a stir . The Bündner withdrew from the national league for financial reasons. Due to the balance of power in the federation has decided that the SC Bern as the second of the National League B may rise. The Zürcher SC , who was the last to be relegated from the NLA, was left behind. In addition to the SCB, the EHC Chur rose regularly as master of the NLB.
The qualification consists of two double rounds of 18 games each, in which the four participants for the playoffs were determined. The last-placed club in the qualification was relegated directly to the National League B. For the first time a playoff was held this season.