The 2011 Russian season will run from March 2011 to Spring 2012. This will, in future, realign their season with most European leagues (Autumn to Spring).
2011 season playing changes and play-offs
Due to the realignment, the teams finishing the regular season in the top eight will go into a play-off league, to decide the championship.
The teams finishing the regular season in the bottom eight will go into a play-off league, for the two relegation places and two relegation/promotion play-off places.
Saturn blasted
Before the season started Saturn Moscow Oblast were disbanded for financial reasons. Their place in the Premier League will be taken by FC Krasnodar, who had finished 5th in the 2010 First Division.
