Rosenborg were the defending champions, having secured their twenty-second League Championship on 24 October 2010.

Molde's 58 points was a record low for an Eliteserien champion in the current 16-team system.

[4] The fastest goal in Norwegian top division history was scored this season on 15 April by Erik Mjelde in a 3–3 draw between his side Brann and Haugesund after 11 seconds.

[5] At the end of the season, Sarpsborg 08 and Start were relegated to the 2012 1. divisjon, due to having finished in the bottom two positions in the standings.

On 30 October 2011, Molde became champions with two games to spare after their only remaining challenger, Rosenborg, lost 3–6 to Brann in the 28th round of the series.