A total of 28 teams contested the league divided into two division, Norra and Södra.
20 returning from the 2011 season, two relegated from Superettan and six promoted from Division 2.
Note: Some matches were played out of phase with the corresponding round, positions were corrected in hindsight.
At the end of each Division 1 season an all-star game is played called "Morgondagens Stjärnor" (English: "The Stars Of Tomorrow").
The two teams playing against each other consist of the best young players from each of the two leagues.