| Season: | 1961 |
| Manager: |  Flávio Costa Manuel Raymundo Cláudio Cardoso Caxambu |
| Mgrtitle: | Manager |
| Chairman: | Laudo Natel |
| Chrtitle: | Chairman |
| League: | Torneio Rio-São Paulo |
| League Result: | Group stage |
| Cup1: | Campeonato Paulista |
| Cup1 Result: | 3rd |
| Prevseason: | 1960 |
| Nextseason: | 1962 |
The 1961 football season was São Paulo's 32nd season since club's existence.
| Games played | 73 (9 Torneio Rio-São Paulo, 30 Campeonato Paulista, 34 Friendly match) |
| Games won | 32 (2 Torneio Rio-São Paulo, 18 Campeonato Paulista, 12 Friendly match) |
| Games drawn | 17 (3 Torneio Rio-São Paulo, 5 Campeonato Paulista, 9 Friendly match) |
| Games lost | 24 (4 Torneio Rio-São Paulo, 7 Campeonato Paulista, 13 Friendly match) |
| Goals scored | 169 |
| Goals conceded | 117 |
| Goal difference | +52 |
| Best result | 6–0 (H) v Portuguesa – Campeonato Paulista – 1961.12.10 |
| Worst result | 1–5 (A) v Colo-Colo – Friendly match – 1961.01.28 |
| Most appearances | |
| Top scorer | |