Leeds Rhinos winger Ryan Hall will enter his 20th season of professional rugby league in 2026 with the veteran set to be the oldest player to play in the competition next year, though two newly-contracted stars aren’t much younger either.
Hall won’t break the all-time record for the oldest player in Super League, held by Steve Menzies who played for Catalans just three months shy of his 40th birthday, however, the Leeds Rhinos man will be the oldest player to take to the field in 2026.
When the season starts, Hall will have turned 38 with his birthday arriving on Thursday, but a total of 10 players set to feature in Super League 2026 will turn 36 or older during the course of the season.
So often fans are excited by the next young star off the block but the list of ten names below features some of the game’s greats, who should also be celebrated as they play into the twilight years of their careers.
Oldest Super League players set to play in 2026
Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos) – 37
Having signed a new one-year deal to commit to play in 2026, it means Ryan Hall will be playing in his age 38 season with the winger actually turning 38 in the coming days. He already has over 400 Super League appearances and leads the way for tries in the comp’s history, a record he’ll hope to extend next year.
Ben Jones-Bishop (York Knights) – 37
A former Leeds Rhinos winger will be the second-oldest player in 2026 with York Knights man Ben Jones-Bishop confirmed to have signed a new one-year deal earlier this morning. It will be his first year playing in Super League since 2020.
Joe Westerman (Castleford Tigers) – 36
Westerman is yet to have a deal for 2026 announced but Castleford have previously confirmed numerous exits and the loose forward was not among them so it’s expected that the veteran will head into another season.
Paul McShane (York Knights) – 36
Former Man of Steel winner Paul McShane took the step down to the Championship last year where he helped York earn promotion, meaning he’ll be back in Super League once again. His role could be expected to reduce somewhat but he is coming off the back of a year where he was crowned Championship Player of the Year, however, he has also signed a new deal alongside Jones-Bishop.
Jay Pitts (Wakefield Trinity) – 35
Another loose forward on the list is Wakefield’s Jay Pitts with the veteran signing a new deal in 2025 to ensure he remains at Belle Vue for 2026. With Jazz Tevaga signed up for 2026, Pitts’ role may reduce.
Tom Briscoe (Hull FC) – 35
Another former Leeds Rhinos winger on the list is Tom Briscoe with the Hull FC man still impressing aged 35. He scored nine tries in 2025, taking his Super League tally to 175.
Alex Walmsley (St Helens) – 35
Fresh off an England recall, Alex Walmsley will enter Super League 2026 as the oldest prop in the competition but he showed no signs of slowing down in 2025 as he racked up the most metres of any forward, amassing a whopping 3,123.
Josh Griffin (York Knights) – 35
Another York Knights player with Josh Griffin signing for the promoted club from Wakefield Trinity, reuniting with former coach Mark Applegarth. Griffin will turn 36 in May.
Liam Farrell (Wigan Warriors) – 35
The Wigan Warriors captain still has two years left on his contract but he’s already among the top ten oldest players in Super League. He’ll look to add to his impressive tally of playing in ten Grand Finals.
Jonny Lomax (St Helens) – 35
St Helens captain Jonny Lomax looks set to lead the halves for Saints this year after being handed the number seven jersey by Paul Rowley. Lomax was moved around at times and even dropped in 2025 but he’ll head into 2026 as a likely starter.
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