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 the semi‑final held at Headingley. The final is scheduled for Sunday, 27 September, with a 5:30 pm kickoff at the Brick Community Stadium, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The turnaround for York has been nothing short of remarkable. Just weeks earlier, the team suffered heavy defeats – a 38‑16 loss to Leeds on 8 August and a 44‑0 drubbing by Wigan on 15 August.
Since those setbacks, the Valkyrie have reversed their fortunes dramatically, stringing together wins over Leeds at home, a tough away triumph against St Helens, and a home victory over Wigan before sealing the semi‑final win. 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 shattered in the 22nd minute when York’s Liv Wood executed a deft twist and dive, grounding the ball for the match’s first try. Tara‑Jane Stanley added the conversion, putting York ahead 6‑0.
As the first half drew to a close, Leeds threatened to equalise when Ruby Walker attempted a grubber kick that fell short. Stanley seized the loose ball, sprinted clear, and extended York’s lead. Three minutes before the break she also slotted a long‑range penalty, pushing the score to 8‑0. The second half began with York looking to consolidate their advantage.
Eight minutes in, Stanley broke through the defense and appeared to score a second try, which would have given York a comfortable 12‑0 lead. However, the Video Referee intervened after reviewing the footage and determined that she had lost control of the ball in the act of grounding, nullifying the try.
Undeterred, York’s defence held firm as Leeds launched a series of attacks. At the hour mark, Leeds’ Georgia Elliston powered over the line, but once again the Video Referee disallowed the try, citing obstruction. York then restored a clear margin when Adaoha Akwiwu sprinted over after a short pass from Stanley, making the score 12‑0. In the closing stages, Leeds’ Ebony Stead seemed to have scored a consolation try out wide, but for the third time that night the Video Referee ruled the effort out, determining that Stead had lost control of the ball before crossing the line.
The match ended on a bittersweet note for York. Their standout performer, Tara‑Jane Stanley, failed a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) and will miss the Grand Final.
Despite this setback, the Valkyrie’s coach, Leon Pryce, expressed immense pride in his squad’s resilience. "This is unbelievable. Nobody gave us a chance," Pryce told Sky Sports. "Everyone wrote us off, and last week they were saying it would be another Saints versus Leeds game after Saints won here.
We used those comments as fuel. We didn’t get the respect we deserved, but they’ve been unbelievable.
To travel to Leeds in a semi‑final against a strong side and hold them to zero shows our grit, toughness and determination. Against all odds we’ve got there, and I couldn’t be prouder. The last four or five weeks we’ve really turned a corner, and we don’t want the season to end here." While York prepares for the final, Wigan Warriors are already in the spotlight for the 2026 Woman of Steel awards.
Three Warriors have been shortlisted for the prestigious individual honour: half‑back Jenna Foubister, second‑rower Eva Hunter, and loose forward Megan Williams. The shortlist will be announced at the Rugby League Awards Night in Manchester on 29 September. Foubister, only 19, has been a key architect of Wigan’s attacking play, scoring nine tries in 18 appearances across all competitions and delivering a 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. Hunter, the reigning Woman of Steel, has continued her prolific form, crossing for 23 tries this season and becoming the first woman to score four tries in a Challenge Cup Final at Wembley.
Williams, who joined Wigan from St Helens ahead of the 2025 season, has quickly become a reliable forward, adding four tries during the Super Four phase and helping the Warriors maintain their push for another historic campaign. The Grand Final promises to be a showcase of the highest quality women’s rugby league, pitting the underdog Valkyrie, who have defied expectations, against the seasoned champions Wigan.
Fans can catch the live action on Sky Sports on Sunday, 27 September, with kick‑off scheduled for 5:30 pm. The match will not only determine the league champion but also set the stage for the upcoming awards ceremony, where the best players of the season will be honoured.