Vardar were the defending champions after winning their sixth Macedonian championship at the end of the 2011–12 season.
Twelve teams contested the league, comprising ten sides from the 2011–12 season and two promoted from the 2011–12 2.
Promoted from 2011–12 Second League Relegated to 2012–13 Second League Promoted from 2012–13 Second League Relegated to 2013–14 Second League Every team played three times against each other team for a total of 33 matches.
The first 22 matchdays consisted of a regular double round-robin schedule.
The league standings at this point were then used to determine the games for the last 11 matchdays.