Featherstone Rovers denied entry to 2026 Championship as RFL explain decision in statement

Featherstone Rovers will not compete in the 2026 Championship with the RFL denying them membership due to their financial issues.

Rovers were put into administration in December with the club having struggled financially throughout the 2025 season and despite one bid to take ownership, the RFL have confirmed that Featherstone will not compete in 2026.

That is because the submission received did not meet the requirements of governance, therefore the RFL denied Rovers membership.

It’s a huge blow for the club, the fans and any players who had been set to play for Rovers in 2026.

The RFL have confirmed that they will continue to work with the administrator to support a sustainable return of professional rugby league in the town.

With the Championship season set to start in a weeks time, it now means that fixtures will be settled using a win percentage system as the loop fixture format meant some teams were not slated to play Rovers at all, whilst some played them up to twice.

RFL release statement on Featherstone Rovers

The full statement from the RFL can be seen below.

“The Rugby Football League (RFL) can confirm that Featherstone Rovers have not been granted RFL Membership or entry into the 2026 Betfred Championship.

“The club fell into administration in December and the one submission received to take ownership of the 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.

“The 2026 Betfred Championship Season opens on Friday 16 January. All Featherstone Rovers fixtures will now be settled using the win percentage system as used during the Covid pandemic.

“The RFL is acutely aware of the financial impact to member clubs of losing a home fixture. Accordingly, it will ensure that some level of compensation is made available to all clubs suffering the loss of a home fixture.”

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