York Valkyrie have earned their place in the 2026 Women’s Super League Grand Final, where they will meet the defending champions, Wigan Warriors, following an impressive 12‑0 triumph over Leeds Rhinos in the semi‑final at Headingley. The final is set 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 journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable. After suffering heavy defeats—38‑16 to Leeds on 8 August and 44‑0 to Wigan a week later—York turned their fortunes around dramatically.
They have since recorded victories over Leeds at home, St Helens away, and Wigan on their own turf before sealing the semi‑final win. The semi‑final itself was a tightly contested affair for the first 21 minutes, with neither side able to break the deadlock. The deadlock was finally shattered in the 22nd minute when Liv Wood twisted past the defence and grounded the ball for a try. Tara Jane Stanley successfully converted, giving York a 6‑0 lead.
Just before the half‑time whistle, Leeds appeared poised to score when Ruby Walker attempted a grubber‑kick that fell short, allowing Stanley to scoop up the loose ball and sprint clear for a second try. However, the try was called back after the Video Referee reviewed the play, and York instead added three points from a well‑taken long‑range penalty, extending the lead to 8‑0 as the first half ended. The second half began with York pressing forward. Eight minutes in, Stanley broke through the line and seemed to score a second try, but the Video Referee intervened again, ruling that she had lost control of the ball before grounding it, and the try was disallowed.
Leeds responded with a flurry of attacks, but York’s defence held firm, preserving the two‑score advantage. At the 60‑minute mark, Leeds’ Georgia Elliston powered over for a try, only for the Video Referee to overturn the decision on the grounds of obstruction. York then sealed the match with a decisive try from Adaoha Akwiwu, who burst through the defence after a short pass from Stanley, bringing the final score to a clean 12‑0 victory. In the closing minutes, Leeds’ Ebony Stead seemed to have scored a consolation try, but for the third time that night the Video Referee ruled the effort invalid, citing loss of control of the ball in the act of grounding.
The match ended on a bittersweet note for York as it was announced that Tara Jane Stanley, the night’s standout performer, had failed her Head Injury Assessment and would miss the Grand Final. Head coach Leon Pryce spoke to Sky Sports after the game, expressing disbelief at the team’s turnaround: "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." Beyond York’s triumph, the upcoming Grand Final will also showcase the talent of Wigan Warriors, who dominate the 2026 Woman of Steel awards shortlist. Three Warriors—Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams—have been named among the three finalists for the sport’s most prestigious individual accolade.
Foubister, a 19‑year‑old half‑back, finished the season with nine tries in 18 appearances and earned a Player of the Match award in the Women’s Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, where she created two tries and provided three line‑break assists. Eva Hunter, the reigning Woman of Steel, added 23 tries across all competitions, becoming the first woman ever to score four tries in a Challenge Cup Final at Wembley. Megan Williams, a former St Helens player who joined Wigan ahead of the 2025 season, has been a consistent force in the forward pack, scoring four tries during the Super Four phase and helping the Warriors maintain their push for another historic season. The Grand Final promises to be a showcase of the best women’s rugby league talent in the country, with York looking to cap off their fairy‑tale comeback and Wigan aiming to cement their dominance.
Fans can tune in to Sky Sports on 27 September at 5:30 pm to watch the climax of a season that has delivered drama, resilience, and unforgettable moments.