Is there an estimated release date for Rocky Linux 9.6? I ask with respect for the team who work hard to make this distro as reliable and bug-free as it is.
No, as per the page here: Rocky Linux Release and Version Guide - Rocky Linux Wiki
so it will be ready when it’s ready.
You can actually follow the progress of 9.6 (and also 10) by logging into their Mattermost (https://chat.rockylinux.org).
i guess it already there
they just need to update the website
maybe they give time for other repo to sync
hope that help and have a nice day 
They must; not all mirrors have the new directory yet.
When mirrors have the data, then the mirrorlist server starts to hand out URLs that have “9.6” (and no longer “9.5” like it does now).
If you run dnf up regularly, then one day[1] you will get “more than usual” packages.
[1]Within foreseeable future.
9.6 403’s if you click it, so it’s not available yet. Also, 9 will also link to 9.6, but again that won’t work until 9.6 is accessible. It will be available when they make the announcement.