York Valkyrie have earned their place in the 2026 Women's Super League Grand Final, where they will meet defending champions Wigan Warriors, following a commanding 12-0 semi‑final triumph on the road against Leeds Rhinos. The final is set for Sunday, 27 September, at the Brick Community Stadium with a 5:30 p.m. kickoff and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The Valkyrie’s journey to this moment has been nothing short of a dramatic reversal.
Just weeks earlier they suffered heavy defeats – a 38‑16 loss to Leeds on 8 August and a 44‑0 drubbing at the hands of Wigan on 15 August. Those setbacks could have demoralised many squads, but York used the experience as a catalyst for change.
In the weeks that followed they turned the tide, beating Leeds at home, securing a win at St Helens, and then defeating Wigan on their own turf before clinching the semi‑final victory that now propels them to the championship match. The semi‑final at Headingley began with a tightly contested first 21 minutes in which neither side managed to break the deadlock. The deadlock was finally shattered in the 22nd minute when York’s Liv Wood displayed remarkable agility, twisting and turning before grounding the ball for a try.
Tara‑Jane Stanley successfully converted, giving York a 6‑0 lead. As the first half drew to a close, Leeds appeared poised to equalise when a poorly executed grubber kick by Ruby Walker fell short, allowing Stanley to scoop up the ball and sprint clear for a second try. However, the referee called an early whistle, and the try was disallowed. Undeterred, Stanley added a well‑taken long‑range penalty three minutes before the half‑time whistle, extending York’s advantage to 8‑0.
The second half opened with York looking confident. Eight minutes after the restart, Stanley broke through the defensive line and touched down for what seemed to be her second try of the night, which would have pushed the score to 12‑0. After a video referee review, however, the try was overturned because she lost control of the ball while grounding it. Leeds responded with renewed vigor, launching a series of attacks that tested York’s defensive resolve.
The Valkyrie’s back‑line held firm, preserving the two‑score margin. Midway through the second half, Leeds’ Georgia Elliston powered over for a try, but the video referee again intervened, citing obstruction and nullifying the score.
York’s breakthrough finally arrived when Adaoha Akwiwu intercepted a short pass from Stanley, surged forward and crossed the try line, sealing a 12‑0 lead that would hold until the final whistle. In the closing minutes, Leeds’ Ebony Stead seemed to have a chance to spark a comeback, but for the third time that evening the video referee ruled the try out, determining that Stead had lost possession of the ball as she grounded it. The match ended on a bittersweet note for York.
Their standout performer, Tara‑Jane Stanley, who had contributed both points and leadership throughout the game, failed a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) and will miss the Grand Final. Despite this setback, 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 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 our 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 really turned a corner and we don’t want the season to end." Beyond the semi‑final, the narrative surrounding the upcoming Grand Final is enriched by the individual accolades on the horizon.
Wigan Warriors dominate the 2026 Woman of Steel shortlist, with three of their players – Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams – earning a place among the elite. The award ceremony will take place on 29 September in Manchester as part of the Rugby League Awards Night. Jenna Foubister, the 19‑year‑old half‑back, has been a pivotal figure in Wigan’s attacking machine, tallying nine tries in 18 appearances across all competitions. Her performance in the Women’s Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, where she created two tries and provided three line‑break assists, earned her a Player of the Match award and helped the Warriors secure a second‑time lift of the trophy.
Eva Hunter, the reigning Woman of Steel, continued her prolific form under coach Denis Betts, crossing for 23 tries this season. The dynamic second‑rower’s speed, power and defensive intensity have made her a constant threat, and she etched her name in the record books by becoming the first woman to score four tries in a Challenge Cup Final at Wembley.
Megan Williams, a forward who joined Wigan from St Helens ahead of the 2025 campaign, has quickly become a cornerstone of the side. In her first two seasons with the Cherry & White, she has demonstrated consistency and versatility, scoring four tries during the Super Four phase and playing a key role in Wigan’s push for another historic season.
The Grand Final promises a clash of contrasting styles: York’s underdog spirit and defensive solidity versus Wigan’s fire‑power and award‑winning talent. Fans can look forward to a high‑stakes encounter that will showcase the growing depth and excitement of women’s rugby league.
The match will be streamed live on Sky Sports, with kickoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, 27 September, at the Brick Community Stadium. Supporters are encouraged to tune in for what is expected to be a memorable conclusion to a season that has already delivered drama, redemption, and a celebration of the sport’s rising stars.