York Valkyrie have earned their place in the 2026 Women's Super League Grand Final, where they will meet defending champions Wigan Warriors. The Valkyrie clinched this opportunity by delivering a commanding 12-0 victory against Leeds Rhinos in a semi‑final played away from home at Headingley. The Grand Final is set for Sunday, 27 September, with kickoff at 5:30 p.m. at the Brick Community Stadium, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
York's journey to the final has been nothing short of remarkable. After suffering heavy defeats earlier in the season—38-16 to Leeds on 8 August and 44-0 to Wigan a week later—the Valkyrie have turned their fortunes around dramatically. Since those setbacks they have recorded wins over Leeds at home, a hard‑fought victory at St Helens, and a home triumph over Wigan before sealing the semi‑final win that propelled them into the championship match. The semi‑final itself was a tightly contested affair in the opening 21 minutes, with neither side able to break the deadlock.
The deadlock was finally snapped in the 22nd minute when York’s Liv Wood executed a brilliant twist and turn, grounding the ball for a try. Tara Jane Stanley added the conversion, giving York a 6‑0 lead. As the first half drew to a close, Leeds appeared poised to score when Ruby Walker attempted a grubber kick that fell short.
Stanley collected the loose ball and sprinted clear, extending the lead. Three minutes before the break she also slotted a long‑range penalty, putting York ahead 8‑0. The second half began with York looking confident. Eight minutes in, Stanley broke through the defense and crossed for what seemed to be a second try, which would have put the score at 12‑0.
However, the Video Referee reviewed the play and ruled that she had lost control of the ball in the act of scoring, nullifying the try. Leeds responded with a surge of attacking play, but York’s defence held firm, preserving the two‑score advantage.
Midway through the second period, Leeds’ Georgia Elliston powered over for a try, only for the Video Referee to overturn it for obstruction. York then sealed the win when Adaoha Akwiwu took a short pass from Stanley, burst through the defensive line and touched down, making the score 12‑0. In the final minutes Leeds thought they had a chance when Ebony Stead appeared to score a try out wide, but a third Video Referee decision that night ruled the effort out because she lost control of the ball before crossing the line. The match ended on a bittersweet note for York.
Despite their flawless defensive record, their standout performer Tara Jane Stanley failed a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) and will miss the Grand Final. Head coach Leon Pryce spoke to Sky Sports after the game, expressing disbelief at the team’s turnaround: "Nobody gave us a chance.
Everyone wrote us off, and last week they were saying it would 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 the grit, toughness and determination we have.
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 really turned a corner and we don’t want the season to end." Meanwhile, Wigan Warriors are set to dominate the 2026 Woman of Steel awards.
Three of their players—Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams—have been shortlisted for the sport’s most prestigious individual honour. Foubister, a 19‑year‑old half‑back, finished the season with nine tries in 18 appearances and earned a Player of the Match award in the Women’s Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, where she created two tries and delivered three line‑break assists. Eva Hunter, the reigning Woman of Steel, crossed for 23 tries across all competitions, showcasing her speed, power and defensive tenacity.
She also made history by becoming the first woman to score four tries in a Challenge Cup Final at Wembley. Megan Williams, a loose forward who joined Wigan from St Helens ahead of the 2025 season, has been a consistent force, adding four tries during the Super Four phase and helping the Warriors maintain their push for another historic campaign. The upcoming Grand Final promises a clash of contrasting styles: York’s resilient, defence‑first approach versus Wigan’s attacking firepower led by three of the league’s elite players.
Fans can watch the showdown live on Sky Sports on Sunday, 27 September, with kickoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Brick Community Stadium. The match will not only decide the champions for 2026 but also provide a platform for the shortlisted Woman of Steel candidates to showcase their talents on the biggest stage of the women’s rugby league calendar.