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 with a commanding 12‑0 victory over Leeds Rhinos in the semi‑final played at Headingley, a result that has set up a showdown at the Brick Community Stadium on Sunday, September 27, with kick‑off scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Sky Sports.
The journey to this moment has been nothing short of dramatic for York. Just weeks earlier the side suffered heavy defeats – a 38‑16 loss to Leeds on August 8 and a 44‑0 drubbing at the hands of Wigan on August 15. Those setbacks could have demoralised many teams, but York used the experience as a catalyst for change.
They responded with a string of impressive performances: a home win over Leeds, an away triumph against St Helens, and a hard‑fought victory over Wigan on their own turf, before finally sealing the semi‑final win that propels them into the championship match. The semi‑final itself was a tightly contested affair in the opening half. The first 21 minutes saw neither side break the deadlock, as both defenses held firm.
The deadlock was finally shattered in the 22nd minute when York’s Liv Wood displayed a blend of agility and strength, twisting past defenders to ground the ball for a try. Tara Jane Stanley, York’s reliable kicker, converted the try, giving the Valkyrie a 6‑0 lead. Leeds pressed hard as the half‑time whistle approached, and a desperate grubber‑kick from Ruby Walker fell short, allowing Stanley to collect the loose ball and sprint clear for a second try.
However, the referee called it back, and the score remained unchanged. Instead, Stanley added a long‑range penalty three minutes before the break, extending York’s advantage to 8‑0. The second half began with York looking to consolidate their lead.
Eight minutes in, Stanley broke through the defensive line and appeared to score a second try, which would have put the Valkyrie ahead by a comfortable margin. The Video Referee, however, reviewed the footage and determined that Stanley had lost control of the ball while grounding it, nullifying the try. Undeterred, York’s defense held strong as Leeds launched a series of attacks. At the 60‑minute mark, Leeds’ Georgia Elliston powered over the try‑line, only for the Video Referee to rule the effort out for obstruction.
York then secured the match with a decisive try from Adaoha Akwiwu, who burst through a short‑pass from Stanley to make it 12‑0. Leeds managed a fleeting moment of hope when Ebony Stead appeared to cross the line in the final minutes, but for the third time that night the Video Referee intervened, citing loss of control as the reason for disallowing the score.
The match concluded with York victorious, but the celebration was tempered by news that Stanley, who had been instrumental throughout the game, failed her Head Injury Assessment and will miss the Grand Final. Speaking to Sky Sports, York’s head coach Leon Pryce reflected on the remarkable turnaround: "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." While York prepares for the final, Wigan Warriors are already in the spotlight for the individual accolades that accompany the season. Three Warriors players – Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams – have been shortlisted for the prestigious Woman of Steel award, which will be presented at the Rugby League Awards Night in Manchester on Tuesday, September 29.
Foubister, the 19‑year‑old half‑back, has been a pivotal figure in Wigan’s attack, tallying nine tries in 18 appearances across all competitions and delivering a standout performance in the Women’s Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, where she created two tries and supplied three line‑break assists. Hunter, the reigning Woman of Steel, continued her prolific form by crossing for 23 tries this season, showcasing blistering speed, powerful carries and relentless defence. She also made history by becoming the first woman to score four tries in a Challenge Cup Final at Wembley.
Williams, a versatile loose forward, has cemented her reputation as a consistent forward over her first two seasons with the club, contributing four tries during the Super Four phase and playing a key role in Wigan’s sustained push for another historic campaign. The Grand Final promises to be a showcase of elite women’s rugby league, pitting the resilient Valkyrie against the experienced Warriors. Fans can tune in to Sky Sports on September 27 at 5:30 p.m. to watch what is expected to be a thrilling climax to a season filled with surprise comebacks, record‑breaking performances and the ever‑growing popularity of women’s rugby league.