[1] Tobol were the defending champions having won their first league championship last year.
As in the 2010 season, the competition was completed in two stages, with all twelve clubs playing twice against each other before splitting up into two groups of six teams each, according to their position after 22 matches.
[3] Akzhayik and FC Okzhetpes were relegated to the Kazakhstan First Division at the end of last season after finishing in the bottom two places of the table.
The relegated teams will be replaced by First Division champions Vostok and Kaisar.
[4] Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules.