The 2002 Torneo Descentralizado was the 86th season of the top category of Peruvian football (soccer).
The winners of each would play for the national title in a playoff, but a team had to finish in the top 4 in both tournaments to earn the right to play the final.
Following-season Copa Libertadores berths went to each half-year tournament winner, and the best-placed team in the aggregate table.
The two bottom teams on the aggregate table were relegated, but a playoff had to be played between the 10th- and 11th-placed teams since both obtained the same number of points (goal difference did not count as a tie-breaker).
No final playoff was played since the Apertura winner Universitario did not finish in the Clausura's top 4, while Sporting Cristal won the Clausura after placing third in the Apertura.