1998 Torneo Descentralizado

The 1998 season of the Torneo Descentralizado was the 83rd season of the top category of Peruvian football (soccer). It was played by 12 teams. The national champion was Universitario.

The national championship was divided into two half-year tournaments, the Torneo Apertura and the Torneo Clausura. Each was played on a home-and-away round-robin basis. The winners of each would play for the national title in a playoff. If the same club had won both tournaments, it would have won the national championship automatically.

Following-season Copa Libertadores berths went to the winner of each tournament, while the runners-up played for a Copa CONMEBOL spot. The bottom team on the aggregate table was relegated, while the eleventh place held a relegation/promotion playoff against the winner of the Segunda División (Second Division).

Clausura title play-off
Sporting Cristal Clausura 1998 winners To Copa Libertadores 1999 (Alianza Lima to Copa CONMEBOL playoff)

Copa CONMEBOL play-off
Alianza Lima to 1999 Copa CONMEBOL (Alianza Lima later declined their spot in favor of Sport Boys)

Promotion play-off
Deportivo Municipal remained in Primera División

Top scorers

 * 25 goals
 * Nelson Esidio (Sporting Cristal)
 * 19 goals
 * Martín Reyes (Juan Aurich)
 * 17 goals
 * Roberto Farfán (Universitario)
 * Sergio Ibarra (Sport Boys)
 * 16 goals
 * Andrés Gonzales (Deportivo Pesquero)
 * Jorge Soto (Sporting Cristal)