York Valkyrie have earned their place in the 2026 Women’s Super League Grand Final, where they will meet defending champions Wigan Warriors after a commanding 12‑0 semi‑final triumph on the road against Leeds Rhinos. The final is set for Sunday, 27 September, with a 5:30 pm kickoff at the Brick Community Stadium, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The Valkyrie’s journey to this showdown has been nothing short of dramatic. After suffering heavy defeats – 38‑16 to Leeds on 8 August and 44‑0 to Wigan a week later – the York side completely reversed their fortunes.
They responded with a home victory over Leeds, an away win at St Helens, and a home triumph over Wigan before clinching the semi‑final win that sealed their Grand Final berth. The semi‑final at Headingley began with a tight, scoreless first 21 minutes. York broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute when Liv Wood displayed brilliant footwork, twisting past defenders and grounding the ball for a try. Tara Jane Stanley added the conversion, putting York ahead 6‑0.
As the half drew to a close, Leeds pressed hard near the York try‑line, but a poorly executed grubber‑kick by Ruby Walker gave Stanley the chance to collect the ball and sprint clear, extending the lead. Three minutes before the break, Stanley slotted a long‑range penalty, pushing the score to 8‑0. The second half began with York appearing to score again when Stanley powered over for a second try.
However, the Video Referee reviewed the footage and determined that she had lost control of the ball while grounding it, overturning the try. Undeterred, York’s defence held firm as Leeds launched a series of attacks, but the Valkyrie kept their two‑point cushion intact.
Around the 60‑minute mark, Leeds’ Georgia Elliston broke through the defensive line and touched down, only for the Video Referee to rule the try out for obstruction. York then sealed the match with a decisive try from Adaoha Akwiwu, who burst through a short ball from Stanley to make the score 12‑0. In the final minutes, Leeds’ Ebony Stead seemed to score a try out wide, but a third Video Referee intervention ruled the effort invalid as she had lost control of the ball before crossing the line. The victory was bittersweet for York, as their standout performer Tara Jane Stanley failed a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) and will miss the Grand Final.
Head coach Leon Pryce reflected on the achievement in a post‑match interview with Sky Sports, saying: "This is unbelievable. Nobody gave us a chance. Everyone had written us off, and last week they were saying it was going to be another Saints vs Leeds game after Saints won here.
We read the comments and used that as fuel. I don't think we got the respect we deserved, but they've been unbelievable. To come to Leeds in a semi‑final against a really good squad and keep them to zero just shows.
It was going to be about grit, toughness and determination. Against all odds we've got there and I couldn't be more proud. I've been proud of them all season, but the last four or five weeks we've really turned a corner and we don't want the season to end." Meanwhile, Wigan Warriors are set to dominate the upcoming Woman of Steel awards.
Three of their players – Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams – have been shortlisted for the prestigious individual accolade, which will be presented at the Rugby League Awards Night in Manchester on 29 September. Nineteen‑year‑old half‑back Jenna Foubister earned her nomination after a prolific season, tallying nine tries in 18 appearances and delivering a Player‑of‑the‑Match performance in the Women's Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, where she created two tries and provided three line‑break assists as Wigan lifted the trophy for the second time.
Current Woman of Steel Eva Hunter continued her impressive form under coach Denis Betts, crossing for 23 tries across all competitions. The dynamic second‑rower showcased blistering pace, powerful ball‑carrying and relentless defence, and made history as the first woman to score four tries in a Challenge Cup Final at Wembley. Megan Williams, a relative newcomer to the club after joining from St Helens ahead of the 2025 season, has quickly become a key figure in the Warriors’ forward pack. The England Knights international has added four tries since the competition entered its Super Four phase, reinforcing Wigan’s push for another historic campaign.
The Grand Final promises a compelling clash between a resilient York side eager to prove their turnaround and a Wigan team brimming with individual talent and championship experience. Fans can watch the showdown live on Sky Sports on Sunday, 27 September, with kick‑off scheduled for 5:30 pm.
The match will not only determine the league champions but also serve as a showcase for the growing popularity and competitiveness of women’s rugby league in the United Kingdom.