The 2011/12 season included the 97th and 98th edition of the Primera División de Costa Rica , the highest Costa Rican soccer league. This season, two championships - Invierno Progol-JPS 2011 and Verano Progol-JPS 2012 - were played. An overall table was created from the results of both championships in order to determine the participant in the relegation with the runner-up of the Liga de Ascenso-Segunda División . The winners of both championships qualified for the CONCACAF Champions League 2012/13 . Alajuelense won with the Invierno 2011 the third championship in a row and the 27th in the club's history, in Verano 2012 Herediano secured the championship for the 22nd time in the club's history. Newcomer Orión lost the relegation against the runner-up in the second division and thus rose again after only one year in the second division.
On April 12, 2011, the representatives of the eleven member clubs of UNAFUT agreed to reform the game mode of the national championship, which among other things entails the elimination of the two-group system. On May 10, 2011 the game mode was changed slightly again. The 2011/12 season is divided into the two seasons Invierno 2011 and Verano 2012. The two championships were played in the following mode:
First of all, the eleven participating teams played the best four teams in a single round (home and return match) in the mode everyone against everyone .
These four teams then played the two finalists in home and away games (1st against 4th, 2nd against 3rd) in the semi-finals.
In the final, the two semi-final winners play off the champions in two legs.
An overall table was created from the main rounds of the two championships (Invierno and Verano). The last placed in this ranking played a relegation game against the runners-up of the Liga de Ascenso-Segunda División , so 12 teams will take part again in 2012/13 (the second division champion will be promoted directly as before).
Special additional rule
Each squad (consisting of a maximum of 25 players) was allowed to have a maximum of four foreigners.
Attendees
After the 2010/11 CD Barrio México used franchise of Liberia Mía CF was excluded from the UNAFUT during the Verano 2011 remained only eleven clubs for the 2011/12 season.
Due to its difficult financial situation and the non-acceptance by the fans, Brujas FC broke up after the Verano 2011. The owners of the franchise gave it to Juan Luis Hernández and the Orión FC club for an initial five years . Orión started under the name Orión FC - Desamparados .
* Orión FC - Desamparados originally played at the Estadio Hernán "Cuty" Monge in Desamparados, San Jose. The Lord Mayor of Desamparados, Maureen Fallas, legally enforced Orión to withdraw the right of use. This was possible because the stadium was again completely in the possession of the city of Desamparados due to the arrest of Minor Vargas in the USA. The club is now playing its professional team's home games in Tarrazú, San José, and the club’s football school, which has around 900 students, has moved to Hatillo 8.
