Rugby league legend Paul Sykes is finally set to hang up the boots with the 45-year-old confirming that he will retire at the end of the 2026 season.
It’s news that fans have perhaps imagined they would hear for each of the last five to ten seasons, with Sykes playing on longer than almost anyone would expect.
A former England and Great Britain international, Sykes has almost had two separate careers across his one epic career, as highlighted by 292 Super League appearances and a further 166 Championship appearances.
He will make his 167th Championship appearance this weekend when Dewsbury Rams play Newcastle Thunder, with that game set to mark the 557th and final game of his professional rugby league career.
It is some innings by any standards, never mind a sport as tough as rugby league, with Sykes set to play the final game of his career some 9,920 days after his senior debut when he takes to the field tomorrow [Saturday].
Over 200 of his games have come playing for Dewsbury, who he signed for in 2016 as a 24-year-old, though he has also made over 100 appearances for both Bradford and London Broncos, whilst Wakefield Trinity and Featherstone Rovers are the other two clubs he has represented in his esteemed career.
His international career started back in 2003 when he represented England in the shortlived European Nations Cup, featuring against Russia and Wales.
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He’d go on to make five more appearances, including at the 2008 World Cup when he played at centre against New Zealand, a year after he had played and scored for Great Britain in a win over France.
Sykes’ remarkable career has seen him score over 150 tries, kick over 1,100 goals and rack up over 2,800 points, but he will now have one last dance as Dewsbury Rams host Newcastle Thunder. It will mark his sixth appearance of the season for the West Yorkshire club.
Dewsbury confirmed Sykes’ retirement with a club statement via social media that read: “After 28 seasons, with 11 of those being with the Dewsbury Rams, Paul Sykes has officially announced his retirement playing his final game tomorrow against the Newcastle Thunder.
“THANK YOU PAUL SYKES a Rams and Rugby League legend.”
After 28 seasons, with 11 of those being with the Dewsbury Rams, Paul Sykes has officially announced his retirement playing his final game tomorrow against the Newcastle Thunder.
THANKYOU PAUL SYKES a Rams and Rugby League legend 👑#RamsFam #UTR pic.twitter.com/4Yv9ZAQb8C
— Dewsbury Rams (@DewsburyRams) August 28, 2026
