Fourteen teams participated in the 2001–02 Cypriot First Division.
The team with the most points at the end of the season crowned champions.
The teams had to declare their interest to participate in the 2002 UEFA Intertoto Cup before the end of the championship.
Nea Salamina, Digenis Morphou and Aris Limassol were relegated from previous season and played in the 2001–02 Cypriot Second Division.
They were replaced by the first three teams of the 2000–01 Cypriot Second Division, Alki Larnaca, Ethnikos Assia and Ermis Aradippou.