The 1st league , the third highest ice hockey league in Switzerland, of the 2011/12 season began in September 2011 and ended in March 2012. A total of 35 teams played in three regional groups. The defending champions were the Huttwil Falcons , but they disbanded before the start of the season. The HC Red Ice continued in the so-called "Grand Final" with 3: 0 against EHC Winterthur through and got into the National League B on. The two relegated to the 2nd division were the EHC Wetzikon and Tramelan HC .
- if a team meets the criteria of the National League,
- has announced its desire for promotion before the season and,
- wins the Swiss amateur championship title.
Group 1: Eastern Switzerland (OS)
The 12 teams play a double round against each opponent, thus completing 22 rounds. The six best clubs qualify for the Masterround I, the other six clubs for the Masterround II, in both Masterrounds a single round (5 rounds) is played.
All six teams of Masterround I qualify for the playoffs, the first four enjoy home rights in the first game. The other two teams start away first. The two best teams of Masterround II also qualify for the playoffs and also start away. The four remaining teams play in the relegation round, which is played as a double round (6 games).
The playoffs will be held as a "best-of-five" series, with the winner of the playoff final qualifying for the finals of the Swiss amateur championship. The last placed in the relegation round will be relegated to the 2nd division for the next season.
Group 2: Central Switzerland (ZS)
The 11 teams play a double round against each opponent, thus completing 20 rounds. The five best clubs qualify for the Masterround I, the other six clubs for the Masterround II, in both Masterrounds a double round (8 or 10 rounds) is played.
All six teams of Masterround I qualify for the playoffs, the first four enjoy home rights in the first game. The other two teams start away first. The two best teams of Masterround II also qualify for the playoffs and also start away. The four remaining teams play in the relegation round, which is played as a double round (6 games).
The playoffs will be held as a "best-of-five" series, with the winner of the playoff final qualifying for the finals of the Swiss amateur championship. The last placed in the relegation round will be relegated to the 2nd division for the next season.
Group 3: Suisse Romande (SR)
The 12 teams play a double round against each opponent, thus completing 22 rounds. The best eight teams qualify for the playoffs, the other four teams for the playouts.
The playoffs will be played in "best-of-seven" mode (quarter-finals) and in "best-of-five" mode (semi-final, final). The winner of the playoffs qualifies for the finals of the Swiss amateur championship.
The playouts will be played in "best-of-five" mode, the loser of the playout final will be relegated to the 2nd division.
Since there was no relegation in the second division from the Central Switzerland group, the round of relegation was not held.
Group 3: Suisse Romande (SR)
Semifinals
series
1
2
3
4th
5
HC Star Lausanne
-
Tramelan HC
3-0
2-0
6: 2
11: 4
-: -
-: -
Université Neuchâtel HC
-
HC Bulle-Gruyère
2: 2
4: 5
6: 1
4: 1
1: 5
-: -
Tramelan HC signed up as a voluntary relegated team during the season, and all outstanding games in the playouts were canceled with immediate effect.
Final round of the Swiss amateur championship
The three group winners play against each other for the Swiss championship in amateur hockey. After a group phase, the two best teams play in the final (the so-called "Grand Final") for the title.
