The season featured 21 teams from the 2010–11 Azadegan League, three new teams relegated from the 2010–11 Persian Gulf Cup: PAS Hamedan, Paykan and Steel Azin and three new teams promoted from the 2010–11 2nd Division: Saipa Shomal as champions, Niroye Zamini and Parseh Tehran.
Paykan won the Azadegan League title for the first time in their history.
Paykan, Aluminium Hormozgan and Gahar Zagros promoted to the Persian Gulf Cup.
The third team Pas Hamedan, were relegated for the first time in that club's history to a lower league.
Updated to games played on 19 April 2012Source: iplstats.comNotes:Matches with spectator bans are not included in average attendancesPAS Hamedan, Paykan and Steel Azin played last season in Persian Gulf CupNiroye Zamini, Parseh Tehran and Saipa Shomal played last season in Iran 2nd Division Esteghlal Khuzestan replaced Esteghlal Jonoub Tehran Damash Lorestan changed their name into Gahar Zagros Hamyari Arak changed their name into Shahrdari Arak Notes:Updated to games played on 19 April 2012.