York Valkyrie have earned a 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 by a dominant 12‑0 semi‑final triumph over Leeds Rhinos at Headingley, a result that underscored the dramatic turnaround the club has experienced over the past few weeks. Just weeks earlier, York endured heavy defeats – a 38‑16 loss to Leeds on August 8 and a 44‑0 drubbing at the hands of Wigan on August 15.
Since those setbacks, the team has completely reversed its fortunes, stringing together victories against Leeds at home, St Helens on the road, and a home win over Wigan before the decisive semi‑final win. The resurgence has been built on a blend of gritty defence, opportunistic attacking play, and a collective belief that they could defy the odds. The semi‑final itself was a tightly contested affair for the opening 21 minutes, with neither side able to break the deadlock. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 22nd minute when York’s Liv Wood executed a deft twist, evading defenders and grounding the ball for a try.
Tara‑Jane Stanley added the conversion, giving York an early 6‑0 lead. As the first half drew to a close, Leeds threatened to score from close range, but a poorly executed grubber kick by Ruby Walker fell short, allowing Stanley to collect the loose ball and sprint clear for a second try that was subsequently ruled out after a video referee review showed she had lost control of the ball while grounding it. Undeterred, York extended their advantage when Stanley successfully kicked a long‑range penalty three minutes before the halftime whistle, pushing the score to 8‑0. The second half began with York maintaining pressure, and eight minutes in, Stanley appeared to cross for a second try, only for the video referee to disallow the score after determining she had not maintained possession at the moment of grounding.
Leeds responded with a series of aggressive attacks, but York’s defence held firm, preserving their two‑score cushion. Midway through the second half, Leeds’ Georgia Elliston broke through the defensive line and touched down, but once again the video referee intervened, citing obstruction and nullifying the try. York then capitalised on a well‑timed short pass from Stanley to Adaoha Akwiwu, who burst through the defensive line to score the final try, sealing a 12‑0 victory. In the closing minutes, Leeds’ Ebony Stead seemed to have scored a try on the wing, offering a glimmer of hope for the Rhinos, but a third video‑referee reversal occurred when replays showed Stead had lost control of the ball before grounding it.
The match ended on a bittersweet note for York, as their standout performer Tara‑Jane Stanley failed a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) and will miss the Grand Final. Despite the disappointment, head coach Leon Pryce praised his side’s resilience in a post‑match interview with Sky Sports, saying, "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 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 Tuesday, September 29. Foubister, the 19‑year‑old half‑back, finished the season with nine tries in 18 appearances and earned a Player of the Match accolade in the Women's Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, where she created two tries and supplied three line‑break assists.
Eva Hunter, the reigning Woman of Steel, added 23 tries across all competitions, becoming the first woman to score four tries in a Challenge Cup Final. Megan Williams, a forward who joined Wigan from St Helens ahead of the 2025 season, has been a consistent presence, adding four tries during the Super Four phase and solidifying her role as a key component of Denis Betts' side. The upcoming Grand Final promises a clash of contrasting narratives: York Valkyrie, the underdogs who have surged back from a series of heavy defeats, versus Wigan Warriors, the established champions boasting a wealth of individual talent and a strong record in recent finals.
Fans can watch the showdown live on Sky Sports on September 27, with kickoff slated for 5:30 p.m. The match will not only decide the 2026 league champions but also set the stage for the award ceremony that follows, where the Woman of Steel winner will be announced, potentially adding another accolade to the victorious side's celebrations.