diff --git a/roles/matrix-synapse/defaults/main.yml b/roles/matrix-synapse/defaults/main.yml
index 29cf00b5..5cf82ef1 100644
--- a/roles/matrix-synapse/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/roles/matrix-synapse/defaults/main.yml
@@ -215,9 +215,6 @@ matrix_synapse_recaptcha_private_key: ''
 # Disabling this option will not delete any tokens previously generated.
 matrix_synapse_registration_requires_token: false
 
-# Allows non-server-admin users to create groups on this server
-matrix_synapse_enable_group_creation: false
-
 # A list of 3PID types which users must supply when registering (possible values: email, msisdn).
 matrix_synapse_registrations_require_3pid: []
 
diff --git a/roles/matrix-synapse/tasks/validate_config.yml b/roles/matrix-synapse/tasks/validate_config.yml
index bb8a2bcd..ab0ca3a7 100644
--- a/roles/matrix-synapse/tasks/validate_config.yml
+++ b/roles/matrix-synapse/tasks/validate_config.yml
@@ -60,6 +60,7 @@
     - {'old': 'matrix_synapse_trusted_third_party_id_servers', 'new': '<deprecated in Synapse v0.99.4 and removed in Synapse v1.19.0>'}
     - {'old': 'matrix_synapse_use_presence', 'new': 'matrix_synapse_presence_enabled'}
     - {'old': 'matrix_synapse_version_arm64', 'new': '<superseded by matrix_synapse_version - see https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/pull/11810>'}
+    - {'old': 'matrix_synapse_enable_group_creation', 'new': '<removed in Synapse v1.61.0 - use the new Spaces feature instead>'}
 
 - name: (Deprecation) Catch and report renamed settings in matrix_synapse_configuration_extension_yaml
   fail:
diff --git a/roles/matrix-synapse/templates/synapse/homeserver.yaml.j2 b/roles/matrix-synapse/templates/synapse/homeserver.yaml.j2
index cce71330..d9a2974f 100644
--- a/roles/matrix-synapse/templates/synapse/homeserver.yaml.j2
+++ b/roles/matrix-synapse/templates/synapse/homeserver.yaml.j2
@@ -2600,16 +2600,6 @@ spam_checker: {{ matrix_synapse_spam_checker|to_json }}
 encryption_enabled_by_default_for_room_type: {{ matrix_synapse_encryption_enabled_by_default_for_room_type|to_json }}
 
 
-# Uncomment to allow non-server-admin users to create groups on this server
-#
-enable_group_creation: {{ matrix_synapse_enable_group_creation|to_json }}
-
-# If enabled, non server admins can only create groups with local parts
-# starting with this prefix
-#
-#group_creation_prefix: "unofficial_"
-
-
 
 # User Directory configuration
 #