1996 Torneo Descentralizado


The 1996 Torneo Descentralizado was the 81st season of the top category of Peruvian football. A total of 16 teams competed in the tournament. Sporting Cristal won its 13th first division title, completing a string of 3 consecutive titles starting in 1994. The feat is known as a tricampeonato and was only accomplished before by Alianza Lima.

Changes from 1995

TeamCityStadiumCapacity
Alianza AtléticoSullanaCampeones del 368,000
Alianza LimaLimaAlejandro Villanueva35,000
Atlético TorinoTalaraCampeonísimo8,000
Aurich–CañañaChiclayoElías Aguirre24,500
Ciclista LimaLimaNacional45,750
CiencianoCuscoGarcilaso42,056
Deportivo MunicipalLimaNacional45,750
Deportivo PesqueroChimboteManuel Gómez Arellano25,000
Guardia RepublicanaLimaNacional45,750
La LoretanaPucallpaAliardo Soria15,000
MelgarArequipaMariano Melgar20,000
San AgustínLimaNacional45,750
Sport BoysCallaoMiguel Grau18,000
Sporting CristalLimaSan Martín de Porres15,000
Unión MinasCerro de PascoDaniel Alcides Carrión8,000
UniversitarioLimaNacional45,750

First stage

The first stage of the season was played as a double round-robin tournament. Sporting Cristal as champions qualified for the 1997 Copa Libertadores. Alianza Lima directly advanced to the end-of-season Liguilla and received a bonus point for placing second. The teams that placed 3 to 8 advanced to a preliminary round.

Pre-Liguilla

Universitario, Deportivo Pesquero, and Cienciano qualified for the Liguilla.

Liguilla

All matches were played in Lima.