York Valkyrie have earned their place in the 2026 Women's Super League Grand Final, where they will meet defending champions Wigan Warriors. The Valkyrie achieved this milestone by delivering a flawless 12-0 victory over Leeds Rhinos in the semi‑final held at Headingley, a performance that has captured the imagination of fans across the league. The Grand Final is scheduled for Sunday, 27 September, with a 5:30 pm kickoff at the Brick Community Stadium. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, offering a national audience the chance to witness what promises to be a historic showdown between two of the game’s most ambitious clubs.
York’s path to the final has been nothing short of remarkable. After suffering heavy defeats earlier in the season—38‑16 at the hands of Leeds on 8 August and a 44‑0 drubbing by Wigan a week later—the Valkyrie turned their fortunes around in spectacular fashion.
They responded with a home win over Leeds, an away triumph against St Helens, and a hard‑fought victory over Wigan before clinching the semi‑final. This reversal of fortunes underscores the resilience and determination that have become hallmarks of the York side.
The semi‑final itself was a tightly contested affair for the first 21 minutes, with both teams failing to break the deadlock. The deadlock was finally shattered in the 22nd minute when York’s Liv Wood displayed exceptional skill, twisting and turning before 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, coming agonisingly close to scoring when a grubber‑kick from Ruby Walker was mishandled, allowing Stanley to collect the ball and sprint clear for a second try. However, the referee ruled the attempt a knock‑on, and the score remained unchanged. Instead, Stanley capitalised on a penalty three minutes before the break, slotting the goal from distance to extend York’s advantage to 8‑0.
The second half began with York maintaining their composure. Eight minutes in, Stanley appeared to score a second try, but a video referee review showed she lost control of the ball in the act of grounding, and the try was disallowed. The decision sparked a surge of attacking rugby from Leeds, but York’s defence held firm, preserving their two‑score lead. Leeds thought they had finally broken through when Georgia Elliston crossed the line at the hour mark, only for the video referee to intervene once more, citing obstruction and overturning the try.
York then sealed the win in dramatic fashion when Adaoha Akwiwu burst through the defensive line after a short pass from Stanley, scoring the final try and confirming a 12‑0 shutout. In the closing minutes, Leeds’ Ebony Stead seemed poised to give the Rhinos a glimmer of hope with a wide‑angle try, but for the third time that night the video referee ruled the score invalid after confirming that Stead had lost control of the ball before grounding it.
The match ended with York celebrating a flawless defensive performance, yet the victory was tinged with disappointment as Stanley, the night’s standout player, failed her Head Injury Assessment and will miss the Grand Final. York head coach Leon Pryce expressed his amazement in a post‑match interview with Sky Sports: "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 off the field. Three of their players—Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter, and Megan Williams—have been shortlisted for the prestigious 2026 Woman of Steel award, which recognises the season’s most outstanding individual performer. The award ceremony will take place on Tuesday, 29 September, in Manchester. Jenna Foubister, the 19‑year‑old half‑back, 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 providing 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 the line 23 times throughout the season. The dynamic second‑rower’s speed, power, and defensive work rate have been instrumental in Wigan’s dominance, and 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 club after joining from St Helens ahead of the 2025 season, has quickly established herself as a reliable forward.
The England Knights international has contributed four tries since the competition entered its Super Four phase, reinforcing Wigan’s push for another historic campaign. The upcoming Grand Final promises a clash of styles: York’s gritty, defensively disciplined approach versus Wigan’s high‑octane attacking flair.
Both teams have demonstrated the ability to adapt and overcome adversity, setting the stage for a compelling contest that will likely be remembered as a defining moment in women’s rugby league. Fans can watch the showdown live on Sky Sports on 27 September at 5:30 pm.
The match not only offers a chance to see two elite squads battle for the championship but also showcases the growing popularity and professionalism of the women’s game, highlighting the talent, dedication, and passion driving the sport forward.