The Tiger-Cats finished in second place in the East Division with a 10–8 record, which was their first winning season since 2004.

The Tiger-Cats primarily played their home games at Alumni Stadium in Guelph, Ontario while also playing one game at Moncton Stadium in Moncton, New Brunswick.

Due to the demolition of Ivor Wynne Stadium and the construction of Tim Hortons Field on the same site, the Tiger-Cats were forced to play the majority of their home games outside of Hamilton for the first time in franchise history.

On November 20, 2012, the Tiger-Cats announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding to play most of their 2013 schedule at a renovated Alumni Stadium in Guelph.

The club had an additional selection in the fifth round coming from Calgary after a trade for Milton Collins.