2009 Campeonato Carioca
The 2009 edition of the Campeonato Carioca kicked off on January 24 and ended on May 3, 2009. It is the official tournament organized by FFERJ (Federação de Futebol do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, or Rio de Janeiro State Football Federation. Only clubs based in the Rio de Janeiro State are allowed to play. Sixteen teams contested this edition.
América and Cardoso Moreira, relegated last year, were replaced by Bangu and Tigres, respectively winners and runners-up of the lower level championship in 2008.