Salford Red Devils will compete outside the Super League for the first time in 17 years following their relegation to the Championship.
Plagued by an ongoing financial crisis that saw the club fail to fulfil a game against Wakefield Trinity earlier in August, Salford dropped from 12th to 15th in the IMG gradings, which determine the level clubs compete.
The top 12 clubs according to the rankings were automatically given places in next season’s expanded 14-team top-flight.
Last month, Salford supporters group The 1873 lambasted a decision by the hierarchy to forgo the chance to submit a formal application for one of the two remaining spots in the Super League, which will be selected by a seven-strong panel.
The IMG placings reflect the clubs that score highest across a range of assessed criteria, including fandom, on-field performance, finance, stadium and community. Salford finished bottom of the Super League last term and, given their financial woes, it was inevitable the club would rank outside the top-12.

Following confirmation that Salford have been relegated and replaced by four-time Super League champions Bradford Bulls, the club released a statement addressing the demotion.
“While there are areas for improvement, particularly in finance and stadium control, this year’s grading demonstrates continued progress in several key metrics, including digital growth and community engagement,” it reads.
“We remain committed to developing across all areas and look forward to building toward a strong 2026 campaign in the Betfred Championship.
In response, the 1873 said Salford’s relegation was “not because of the fans or the players, but because of broken promises and disgraceful leadership.
It is “the darkest chapter in our modern history,” they said.
“Though many of us knew this day was coming, the pain of seeing it made official still cuts deeply. It feels like a dagger through the heart of every supporter who has stood on the terraces, followed the team through thick and thin and believed even when that belief seemed impossible.
“This is the consequence of years of mismanagement, broken promises and reckless decisions from both the current and former ownership,” they added in a statement which can be viewed in full here.
Salford Red Devils’ relegation has triggered the release of all contracted players and Head Coach Paul Rowley has been linked with a move away from the club to St Helens.
Rowley, who is currently evens with bookie Betfred to take the reins at St Helens, was expected to become Salford’s Director of Rugby at the end of the year.

His assistant, Kurt Haggerty, was due to fill the vacant Head Coach position following Rowley’s change of role, but the club’s succession plan quickly broke down when he left Red Devils by mutual consent at the start of September.
Given a twice adjourned winding up order is set to be served against the club in a High Court at the end of the month, it can only be hoped that the commitment from the hierarchy to develop across all areas and lay the groundwork for a successful season in the Championship reflects confidence the club will not be liquidated.
But, since a consortium led by Dario Berta bought the club on the eve of the season, the club has been beset by financial trouble with frequent late payments leaving players and staff uncertain of their future.
Many Salford fans view his troubled time in charge so far as a conclusive acid test of his leadership – one that has been failed.
With a High Court hearing on 29 October potentially determining whether Salford Red Devils can continue to exist, there is growing concern over the club’s future.
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