York Valkyrie have earned their place in the 2026 Women's Super League Grand Final, where they will meet defending champions Wigan Warriors, after delivering a commanding 12-0 victory against Leeds Rhinos in the semi‑final at Headingley. The final is scheduled for Sunday, 27 September, with kickoff at 5:30 pm at the Brick Community Stadium, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
The Valkyrie’s turnaround this season has been nothing short of remarkable. Just weeks earlier the side 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, York have rewritten their narrative, stringing together wins over Leeds at home, a hard‑fought triumph against St Helens away, and a home victory over Wigan before sealing their semi‑final success.
The match at Headingley began cautiously, with both teams failing to break the deadlock during the opening 21 minutes. The dead‑heat finally ended in the 22nd minute when York’s Liv Wood displayed deft footwork, twisting past defenders and grounding the ball for a try. Tara‑Jane Stanley added the conversion, giving York a 6‑0 lead.
Leeds pressed hard as the first half drew to a close, forcing York onto the defensive line. A last‑minute grubber kick from Leeds’ Ruby Walker was mishandled, allowing Stanley to scoop up the ball and sprint clear, extending York’s advantage. Three minutes before the break, Stanley demonstrated her kicking prowess by slotting a long‑range penalty, pushing the score to 8‑0.
The second half opened with York looking to consolidate their lead. Eight minutes in, Stanley broke through the Leeds defence and appeared to score a second try, which would have put the Valkyrie up 12‑0.
However, the Video Referee reviewed the footage and determined that she lost control of the ball before grounding it, disallowing the try. Undeterred, York’s defence held firm as Leeds launched a series of attacks.
The Video Referee again intervened, this time overturning a try by Leeds’ Georgia Elliston for obstruction. York then capitalised on the momentum when Adaoha Akwiwu received a short pass from Stanley, surged forward, and crossed the line for the decisive try, cementing a 12‑0 lead. In the closing stages, Leeds’ Ebony Stead seemed to revive her side’s hopes with a wide‑out try, but the Video Referee once more ruled the score null, citing loss of control of the ball.
The match concluded with York victorious, though the celebration was tempered by the news that Stanley had failed a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) and would miss the Grand Final. York head coach Leon Pryce spoke to Sky Sports after the win, reflecting on the team’s improbable journey: "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." Meanwhile, Wigan Warriors are set to dominate the 2026 Woman of Steel awards. Three of their players – Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams – have been shortlisted for the sport’s most prestigious individual accolade. The awards ceremony will take place in Manchester on the evening of 29 September.
Half‑back Jenna Foubister, only 19, has been a linchpin in Wigan’s attacking structure, scoring nine tries in 18 appearances across all competitions. Her influence was on full display in the Women’s Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, where she earned Player of the Match honours by creating two tries and delivering three line‑break assists as the Warriors lifted the trophy for the second time.
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 combined blistering speed, powerful ball‑carrying, and relentless defence, and made history 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 season, has quickly become a cornerstone of the Cherry & White side. In her short tenure she has already added four tries during the Super Four phase, helping the Warriors maintain their push for another historic campaign.
Fans can watch the Grand Final showdown between Wigan Warriors and York Valkyrie live on Sky Sports on 27 September. The match promises to be a showcase of resilience, skill, and the growing popularity of women’s rugby league, as both clubs vie for the ultimate prize in the sport.