2012–13 Iraqi Elite League

Iraqi Elite League
Season2012–13
Dates19 October 2012 – 4 September 2013
ChampionsAl-Shorta
(3rd title)
RelegatedAl-Kahrabaa
Sulaymaniya
Al-Sinaa
Kirkuk
AFC Champions LeagueAl-Shorta
AFC CupErbil
Matches played305
Goals scored776 (2.54 per match)
Top goalscorerAmjad Radhi
(25 goals)
Biggest home winAl-Zawraa 7–0 Kirkuk
(29 April 2013)
Erbil 8–1 Al-Minaa
(27 June 2013)
Biggest away winAl-Sinaa 0–6 Al-Minaa
(12 April 2013)
Highest scoringErbil 8–1 Al-Minaa
(27 June 2013)
Longest winning run6 games
Zakho
Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya
Longest unbeaten run20 games
Al-Shorta
Longest winless run14 games
Kirkuk
Longest losing run12 games
Kirkuk
2013–14
(Iraqi Premier League)

The 2012–13 Iraqi Elite League was the 39th season of the competition since its establishment in 1974. The season began on 19 October 2012 and finished on 4 September 2013. Al-Shorta were crowned champions for the third time, finishing on 72 points, two points ahead of nearest competitors Erbil.

Having only managed a seventh-place finish in the previous season, Al-Shorta's results improved significantly under the presidency of Ayad Bunyan and they were able to outperform favourites Erbil, Duhok, Al-Zawraa and Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya.

On the final day of the season, three teams were all still in the race for the title. Al-Shorta needed a win against Al-Talaba to secure the league, whilst Erbil had to defeat Al-Najaf and hope that Al-Shorta failed to win their game if they wanted to retain their title. Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya needed both Al-Shorta and Erbil to slip up and needed to defeat Masafi Al-Wasat by a large goal margin in order for them to go home with the trophy.

All three teams ended up winning their respective matches, making Al-Shorta the champions. It was the club's first league title since the 1997–98 season.