Ten teams entered, one more than the previous season, with Venezuela again not sending a representative.

This was the first edition in which the defending champions qualified automatically, allowing the nation which contained the holders to have an extra team in the tournament.

Santos ended the Carboneros' reign, as they defeated Peñarol 0–3 in the deciding playoff in Buenos Aires.

If two or more teams were equal on points, the following criteria was applied to determine the ranking in the group stage: Starting this edition, a playoff would become the first tie-breaker, then goal difference.

Peñarol progressed to the finals due to better goal difference.