10 Challengers Who Would Actually Be Exciting on Season 42

Season 42 is on track to premiere in early 2026, and Bananas says this season needs to be a banger. Likely, there are many big names who want to compete, but fans are often looking for surprising competitors on the cast. Between Battle of the Eras and Vets & New Threats, we’ve seen a lot of the Challenge mainstays, and when we add All Stars into the mix, there are very few competitors who have truly taken a break from the Challenge scene.

But if production wants viewers to tune in to season 42, they’ll need to find a way to surprise us. That means getting a couple of shockers on the cast — or at least people who add something different than we’ve seen on the past few seasons.

I’m going to break this list into two sections: recent players (those who have done a season since Double Agents or any All Stars season) and legacy players (those who haven’t done any of the seasons filmed since 2020). Also, anyone who did Battle of the Eras or Vets & New Threats is presumed active in the Challenge world and won’t be considered for this list.

Recent players

Kam Williams

Last we saw, Kam did All Stars 4, but it was shortly after giving birth. She gave a good performance, but it didn’t meet the “Killa Kam” level we saw in the past. Since this season, she’s been in mommy mode, but she’s also been getting into shape. Hopefully this is to make a return to the main series, because Kam’s a true beast when she’s locked into the game.

Frank Sweeney

Franked proved he’s still a competitor after 11 years away from The Challenge when he returned on All Stars: Rivals, but he was paired with Sam. She definitely was not in prime Challenge shape, and this meant Frank needed to rely on his social game to do well. It got him to the final, but it was also a letdown for fans. Frank is a strong competitor, and we want a chance to see that by letting him compete solo.

Kyle Christie

Kyle is one of the few Challengers to do seven consecutive seasons, but after Spies, Lies and Allies, he vanished. He had established himself as a solid competitor, and he was a finalist the last time we saw him. He’s also known for being a humorous player with memorable confessionals, and this charm has made him a flirt on the show and a hit with viewers.

Kailah Casillas

Kailah has an undeniable fan base, so watching her on Ride or Dies was upsetting. She went home in the first elimination, a casualty of the rookies taking over, but this may not have happened if she had a stronger alliance. Those allies started coming in directly after her departure, so it’s understandable that Kailah has a bitter taste in her mouth. But she’s also a fan favorite, and production would be wise to invite her back and not give her a raw deal.

Shane Landrum

After Battle of the Eras, it seems most of our Road Rules representation is aging, and they can’t hang with the newer generation of Challengers. Shane may be an exception, because he excelled at the physical competitions on All Stars: Rivals. He may be a polarizing player, but he comes into the game with a strong alliance and an ability to perform well. He’s the quintessential old schooler who’s adapted to the modern Challenge landscape without completely abandoning his origins.

Legacy players

Zach & Jenna

I’m cheating here and making this couple a two-for-one entry. We just saw Jenna via FaceTime call on Vets & New Threats, so we know she stays connected to her Challenge friends. She’s had four babies over the past five years, but since she’s not pregnant now (that we know of), it could be her chance to return. Zach, on the other hand, may have ruffled a few of production’s feathers, but he’s remained immersed in the Challenge world via his podcast — it’s even boosted his reputation. So, producers should get over their little feud and let him make a comeback before fans change their minds on him.

Hunter Barfield

After his unfortunate ending on Final Reckoning, Hunter came back and delivered his messiest performance to date on War of the Worlds. He argued with all of the veterans and rookies, but he still managed to get revenge on Ashley, start a romance with Nany, and reach the final. It felt like this season opened a new chapter in his story, but it ended abruptly and with many loose ends.

Jenn Grijalva

When the All Stars: Rivals cast was being announced, Jenn was rumored to be a part of it. It turns out, she wasn’t participating, but the incorrect announcement proved a lot of people are waiting to see her back. Likely, Jenn didn’t do that season because she was pregnant, but now that her baby has been born, she’s back to her religious fitness routine, and she’d likely come onto the show in better shape than ever.

Sarah Rice

From The Ruins through Rivals 3, Sarah played an integral role on The Challenge, and she was one of those competitors who had to learn to play an aggressive game to get a win. Eventually, it worked, but it made an enemy out of Bananas, and it culminated in her money being stolen on Rivals 3. This put a sour taste in her mouth, and she stopped doing the show. Ending on this note allowed the moment to somewhat define her Challenge career. For a while, she seemed to be permanently done, but she recently told Mark that a return isn’t impossible.

Landon Lueck

When we talk about Challenge greats, most of the GOAT contenders have done a season somewhat recently. However, there is one old school name that’s often discussed: Landon. His impressive four season run has convinced viewers he’s one of the best competitors we’ve ever seen, and there’s only one way to tell if his skills have withstood the test of time. It also seems Landon dipped his toe into the Challenge world somewhat recently, so perhaps a return isn’t completely out of the question.