The 1952 Copa Rio was the second and last edition of the Copa Rio, the first intercontinental club football tournament with teams from Europe and South America, held in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo from 12 July to 2 August. Participant clubs were divided into two zones of four teams, playing each other once in a single round-robin tournament.
The tournament featured players such as Obdulio Varela, Roque Máspoli, Alcides Ghiggia, Juan Alberto Schiaffino of Peñarol, José Travassos of Sporting Lisbon, Didi, Joao Pinheiro of Fluminense, Luizinho, goalkeeper Gilmar of Corinthians and Roger Vonlanthen of Grasshopper.
The final was played in a two-legged format, contested by Brazilian teams Fluminense and Corinthians. Fluminense won the series 2–1 on points, achieving their first Copa Rio trophy.
Participants
Notes
Italian team Juventus (1951–52 Serie A champion) and Argentine club Racing (1951 Primera División champion) withdrew from the competition.
Venues
Tournament course
Rio de Janeiro Group
All matches played at Estádio do Maracanã.
12 July: Peñarol 1−0 Grasshoppers
13 July: Fluminense 0−0 Sporting
16 July: Peñarol 3−1 Sporting
17 July: Fluminense 1−0 Grasshoppers
19 July: Sporting 2−1 Grasshoppers
20 July: Fluminense 3−0 Peñarol
São Paulo Group
All matches played at Estádio do Pacaembu.