2012 Campeonato Ecuatoriano de Fútbol Serie A  The 2012 Campeonato Ecuatoriano de Fútbol de la Serie A (known as the 2012 Copa Credife Serie A for sponsorship reasons) was the 54th season of the Serie A, Ecuador's premier football league. The season began on February 3 and ended in December 2012. Deportivo Quito was the defending champion. They were succeeded by Barcelona, who won their record-breaking 14th title. On the night of December 6, 2011, the Ecuadorian Football Federation determined that the format for 2012 will the same as the previous season. Twelve teams competed in the 2012 Serie A season, ten of whom remained from the previous season. ESPOLI and Imbabura were relegated last season after accumulating the fewest points in the 2011 season aggregate table. They will be replaced by Técnico Universitario and Macará, the 2011 Serie B winner and runner-up, respectively. Both teams from Ambato are making returns to the Serie A. Macará is returning after one season while Técnico Universitario is returning after two. The first stage () began on February 3 and ended on July 8. The second stage () began on July 13 and ended on December 2. The Third Stage () began on December 9 and ended on December 16. It consisted of two playoffs. Independiente José Terán and LDU Loja played in the fourth-place playoff. By having the greater number of points in the aggregate table, Independiente José Terán will play the second leg at home. Having won both matches, Independiente José Terán earned the "Ecuador 3" berth in the 2013 Copa Sudamericana; LDU Loja earned the "Ecuador 4" berth. Emelec and LDU Quito played the second-place playoff. By having the greater number of points in the aggregate table, Emelec will play the second leg at home. Having won both matches, Emelec won the "Ecuador 2" berth for the 2013 Copa Libertadores and the 2013 Copa Sudamericana. LDU Quito earned the "Ecuador 3" berth for the 2013 Copa Libertadores. Since Barcelona won both the first stage and second stage, the finals were not played, and Barcelona were crowned champions. They earned the "Ecuador 1" berth in the 2013 Copa Libertadores and the "Ecuador 1" berth in the 2013 Copa Sudamericana.