The season was scheduled to start on 9 March 2012 and to conclude on 27 October 2012[1] Shakhter Karagandy as the defending champions having won their first league championship last year succeeded in preservation of its league title.
The league was expanded from twelve to fourteen teams for this season.
The league was expanded from twelve to fourteen teams for this season.
The second phase with it separate play-off groups for championship and relegation has been abolished; all teams will play a single home-and-away round-robin schedule.
[citation needed] Promoted Relegated Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules.