York Valkyrie have earned their place in the 2026 Women’s Super League Grand Final, where they will meet defending champions Wigan Warriors at the Brick Community Stadium on Sunday, September 27, with kickoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Sky Sports.
The Valkyrie’s path to the final was sealed with a dominant 12‑0 semi‑final triumph over Leeds Rhinos at Headingley, a performance that turned the tide after a string of heavy defeats earlier in the season. Just weeks before the semi‑final, York endured a 38‑16 loss to Leeds on August 8 and a crushing 44‑0 defeat at the hands of Wigan on August 15.
Those setbacks could have demoralised many squads, but the Valkyrie used the adversity as motivation. In the following weeks they reversed their fortunes dramatically, beating Leeds at home, then St Helens away, and finally toppling Wigan on their own turf before clinching the semi‑final victory that now guarantees a showdown with the Warriors.
The match at Headingley began cautiously, with the first 21 minutes ending scoreless as both sides tested each other’s defensive structures. The deadlock was finally broken in the 22nd minute when York’s Liv Wood displayed a blend of agility and strength, twisting past defenders and grounding the ball for a try.
Tara‑Jane Stanley, York’s reliable kicker, added the conversion, putting the Valkyrie ahead 6‑0. Leeds pressed hard as the half‑hour mark approached, and a last‑minute grubber kick from Ruby Walker seemed poised to create a scoring opportunity. However, the kick was poorly placed, allowing Stanley to collect the ball cleanly and sprint clear of the defensive line, extending York’s lead.
Three minutes before the break, Stanley showcased her range with a long‑distance penalty goal, making the score 8‑0. The second half opened with York looking to consolidate their advantage.
Within eight minutes, Stanley surged forward and appeared to cross for a second try, which would have stretched the lead to 12‑0. A video referee review, however, determined that she lost control of the ball in the act of scoring, and the try was disallowed. Undeterred, York’s defence held firm as Leeds launched a series of attacks, but the Valkyrie’s back‑line remained resolute, preserving the two‑score margin. At the 60‑minute mark, Leeds thought they had finally broken through when Georgia Elliston powered over for a try.
Once again, the video referee intervened, citing obstruction and nullifying the score. York responded decisively when Adaoha Akwiwu intercepted a short pass from Stanley and burst through the Rhinos’ defensive line, securing a try that was upheld and bringing the final tally to 12‑0.
Leeds made one last push in the closing minutes. Ebony Stead appeared to dive over the try line on the wing, offering a glimmer of hope for the Rhinos.
Yet for the third time that evening, the video referee ruled the effort invalid, noting that Stead had lost control of the ball before grounding it. The match concluded with York maintaining a clean sheet, a testament to their disciplined defence and clinical finishing. The victory, however, was tinged with disappointment for York.
After the final whistle, it was announced that Tara‑Jane Stanley, who had been instrumental throughout the semi‑final, failed her Head Injury Assessment (HIA) and would miss the Grand Final. Her absence will be a significant blow, as she had been the team's primary point‑scorer and a vocal leader on the field. York head coach Leon Pryce spoke to Sky Sports after the win, expressing both amazement and pride.
“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.” On the other side of the final, Wigan Warriors are already making headlines in the individual awards arena. Three of their 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 September 29.
Nineteen‑year‑old half‑back Jenna Foubister has been a catalyst for Wigan’s attacking prowess, scoring nine tries in 18 appearances across all competitions and delivering a standout Player‑of‑the‑Match performance in the Women’s Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, where she set up two tries and provided three line‑break assists. Eva Hunter, the reigning Woman of Steel, has continued her prolific form, crossing the line 23 times this season. Her speed, power, and defensive work rate have been vital, and she made history by becoming the first woman to score four tries in a Challenge Cup Final at Wembley.
Megan Williams, a recent addition from St Helens, has quickly established herself as a dependable forward, adding four tries during the Super Four phase and playing a key role in Wigan’s sustained push for another historic season. Fans can watch the climactic Grand Final between York Valkyrie and Wigan Warriors live on Sky Sports on Sunday, September 27, with kickoff at 5:30 p.m. The match promises to be a showcase of resilience, skill, and the growing competitiveness of women’s rugby league, as York seeks to cap a remarkable turnaround and Wigan aims to defend their title while their stars vie for individual glory.