This Campeonato Carioca was the 109th edition of football of FFERJ (Federação de Futebol do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, or Rio de Janeiro State Football Federation). It started play on January 24, 2009 and ended on May 3, 2009. Sixteen teams contested this edition. América and Cardoso Moreira, relegated the previous year, were replaced by Bangu and Tigres, respectively winners and runners-up of the lower level championship in 2008.