The 1876 Boston Red Caps season was the 6th season of the franchise. With the dissolution of the National Association, the Boston team joined the brand new National League. The team name was changed from the Boston Red Stockings to the Boston Red Caps to avoid confusion with the new Cincinnati Red Stockings team. Some of the players from the previous year's team defected to other ballclubs, so the team finished further down in the standings this season.