Reigning Meistriliiga champions, Flora will surely be fighting for the title once more with Kalju likely to be the main contenders. Have nine league titles to their name since the league's inception in 1992.
Head Coach: Martin Reim - Estonia's most capped international with 157 appearances. This included their first match as an independent nation since 1940, a 1-1 draw with Slovenia in June 1992.
Ground: A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn (also home to Estonia's national team). Some games played at the Sportland Arena on the same complex.
Capacity - 9,692
See above. But not reigning champions. Have seven league titles including four in a row between 2006 and 2009.
Head Coach: Marko Kristal. Second most capped Estonian international, recently in charge at Tammeka. Used to have terrible hair.
Ground: Kadrioru Stadium, Tallinn
Some games also played at Maarjamäe complex in Pirita.
Capacity: 5,000
JK Narva Trans
Finished third in 2011 (for the fourth season running) and one of only two teams to have played in every Meistriliiga season. Located right on the border with Russia, the majority of the population are ethnic Russian. Latvian striker Aleksandrs Cekulajevs broke the Meistriliiga scoring record in 2011 with 46 league goals.
Head Coach: Sergei Prikhodko
Ground: Kreenholmi Staadion, Narva
Capacity: 3,000
JK Nomme Kalju
The south Tallinn club will enjoy their fourth season in the Meistriliiga in 2012 having started in the bottom league of Estonian football on their reformation in 1997. Lost to Flora on penalties in the 2009 Estonian Cup final and have had a large Brazilian influence in recent years due to their now assistant manager Brazilian Fredo Getulio. Made Europa League qualifying for the first time in 2009/10. A club with real ambition. Ran Flora close in 2011 finishing runners up.
Head Coach: Igor Prins - former Levadia head coach took over in August 2010.
Ground: Kadrioru Stadium, Tallinn
Capacity: 5,000
JK Sillamäe Kalev
Located in Sillamäe, they are local rivals of JK Trans. Made their way back into the Meistriliiga in 2008 after falling through the divisions into the IV Liga. Finished runners up to Levadia in 2009 before slipping to mid-table in 2010 and 2011.
Head Coach: Valeri Bondarenko - experienced former Trans and Levadia coach.
Ground: Sillamäe Kalevi Staadion, Sillamäe
Capacity: 2,000
JK Tammeka Tartu
Based in Tartu, Estonia's second city, Tammeka have lived in and around lower mid-table since their promotion to the Meistriliiga in 2005.
Head Coach: Kristjan Tiirik - former Tammeka striker has taken the reigns from Marko Kristal
Ground: Annelinna Staadion, Tartu
Capacity: 500
JK Viljandi
Just west of Tartu, Viljandi is home of Tulevik, formerly Flora's feeder club and almost ever present in the Meistriliiga since 1992. A second placed finish in 1999 aside, they have been firmly entrenched in mid-table for the majority of that period and look unlikely to break that run this season.
Head Coach: Zaur Tšilingarašvili
Ground: Viljandi Linastaadion, Viljandi
Capacity: 2,500
Paide Linnameeskond
After making their first appearance in the Meistriliiga in 2009, Paide only survived by way of a relegation play off (and that on away goals). A slight improvement in 2010 saw them rise to an eighth place finish and they improved again finishing a respectable sixth last season.
Head Coach: Meelis Rooba
Ground: Paide Ühisgümnaasiumi Staadion, Paide
Capacity: 500
FC Kuressaare
Kuressaare hail from the island of Saaremaa off the west coast of Estonia. They have been between the Esiliiga and Meistriliiga since 1999 and have survived relegation in the past two seasons by the skin of their teeth. Defeated FC Infonet in a play-off to remain in the Meistriliiga in 2012.
Head Coach: Sergei Zamogilnoi
Ground: Kuressaare Linastaadion, Kuressaare (also pictured: Kuressaare Castle)
Capacity: 2,000
JK Tallinna Kalev
Newly promoted from the Esiliiga after finishing as champions from FC Infonet in 2011. Celebrating 100 years since their original formation in 1911 (reformed in 2002).
Head Coach: Sergei Ratnikov
Ground: Kalevi Keskstaadion, Tallinn
Capacity: Up to 12,000
