York Valkyrie have earned the right to contest the 2026 Women’s Super League Grand Final, where they will meet defending champions Wigan Warriors. The Valkyrie clinched their place with a commanding 12‑0 victory in the semi‑final played at Headingley, the home of Leeds Rhinos. The final is scheduled for Sunday, 27 September, with kick‑off at 5:30 p.m.
at the Brick Community Stadium, and it will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The turnaround for York has been nothing short of dramatic.
Just a month earlier the side 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. Since those setbacks the Valkyrie have rewritten their narrative, stringing together wins over Leeds at home, a road triumph against St Helens, and a hard‑fought victory over Wigan at the York venue before sealing the semi‑final. The semi‑final itself began as a tightly contested affair.
The first 21 minutes at Headingley produced no points, with both teams probing each other’s defenses. The deadlock was finally broken in the 22nd minute when York’s Liv Wood displayed her usual agility, twisting and turning before grounding the ball for a try. Tara‑Jane Stanley, York’s reliable kicker, added the conversion, putting the visitors ahead 6‑0.
Leeds pressed forward as the first half drew to a close, and a last‑minute grubber kick from Ruby Walker looked promising for the home side. However, the kick was poorly placed, allowing Stanley to scoop up the ball and sprint clear, extending York’s lead. Three minutes before the break, Stanley demonstrated her composure from distance, slotting a penalty that pushed the score to 8‑0.
The second half began with York looking confident. Eight minutes in, Stanley surged forward and appeared to score a second try, which would have given York a comfortable 12‑0 advantage. After a review, the Video Referee determined that she had lost control of the ball in the act of grounding, and the try was disallowed. Leeds responded with a flurry of attacks, but York’s defence held firm, preserving the two‑score margin.
At the 60‑minute mark, Leeds’ Georgia Elliston broke through the defensive line and crossed under the posts. Yet once again the Video Referee intervened, this time citing obstruction, and the try was ruled out.
York then secured the win through a well‑executed move: Adaoha Akwiwu received a short pass from Stanley, burst through a gap, and touched down for the decisive try, confirming a 12‑0 final score. Leeds made a late effort when Ebony Stead appeared to score a wide try with six minutes remaining, offering a brief glimmer of hope for the Rhinos.
However, for the third time that evening, the Video Referee reviewed the play and concluded that Stead had lost control of the ball before grounding it, nullifying the score. The victory was bittersweet for York. Their standout performer, Tara‑Jane Stanley, who had contributed points with both a conversion and a penalty, failed a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) after the match and will miss the Grand Final.
Despite this setback, head coach Leon Pryce expressed immense pride in his squad’s resilience. Speaking to Sky Sports, Pryce said: "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 opposite side of the final, Wigan Warriors are entering the match with a strong individual accolade in mind. 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 29 September.
Nineteen‑year‑old half‑back Jenna Foubister has been a linchpin in Wigan’s attacking structure throughout the season, crossing the try‑line nine times in 18 appearances across all competitions. Her performance 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, underscored her growing reputation as one of the game’s premier playmakers. Current Woman of Steel Eva Hunter has continued her prolific form under head coach Denis Betts, tallying 23 tries in all competitions.
The dynamic second‑rower has combined blistering speed, powerful ball‑carrying, and relentless defensive work. Notably, she made history by becoming the first woman to score four tries in a Challenge Cup Final at Wembley.
Megan Williams, a relatively new addition to the Cherry & White, has quickly established herself as a dependable forward. Since joining from St Helens ahead of the 2025 season, the England Knights international has been a key component of Betts’ side, adding four tries during the Super Four phase and helping Wigan maintain momentum in their pursuit of another historic campaign. The Grand Final promises to be a showcase of elite women’s rugby league, pitting York’s underdog spirit against Wigan’s seasoned excellence. Fans can watch the showdown live on Sky Sports on Sunday, 27 September, with kick‑off scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
at the Brick Community Stadium.