Troubled Featherstone Rovers denied RFL membership and removed from Championship
The club were due to start their 2026 season in just over a week.
Featherstone have been denied the right to compete in rugby league's second-tier Betfred Championship next season after failing to satisfy governance criteria.
A statement issued by the Rugby Football League on Friday night confirmed that the club, who were due to kick off at Batley on January 18, have been removed from the fixture list.
Featherstone voluntarily entered administration in December, but have not been able to provide the required guarantees over their future to satisfy the governing body.
"The Rugby Football League can confirm that Featherstone Rovers have not been granted RFL membership or entry into the 2026 Betfred Championship," said the RFL statement.
"The club fell into administration in December and the one submission received to take ownership of teh club has not met the required governance criteria and RFL membership has been denied.
"The RFL will continue to work with the administrator and remains committed to supporting a sustainable return of professional rugby league in the town of Featherstone moving forward."
Featherstone are one of the most recognisable names in the game, having won the league title in 1977 and the Challenge Cup three times, most recently in 1983.