York Valkyrie have earned a place in the 2026 Women's Super League Grand Final, where they will meet defending champions Wigan Warriors. The Valkyrie clinched their semi‑final triumph with a flawless 12‑0 victory against Leeds Rhinos on the road, setting up a showdown at the Brick Community Stadium on Sunday, 27 September, with kick‑off scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
on Sky Sports. The journey to this moment has been nothing short of remarkable for York. Just weeks earlier the side suffered heavy defeats – a 38‑16 loss to Leeds on 8 August followed by a 44‑0 drubbing at the hands of Wigan on 15 August.
Those setbacks could have demoralised a lesser squad, but York responded with a string of impressive performances, beating Leeds at home, St Helens away and then Wigan on their own turf before sealing the semi‑final win. At Headingley, the first 21 minutes were a tight, scoreless affair. The deadlock was finally broken in the 22nd minute when York’s Liv Wood twisted past the defence, gathered the ball and grounded it for a try.
Tara Jane Stanley added the conversion, giving the Valkyrie an early 6‑0 lead. As the half‑hour wound down, Leeds appeared poised to equalise when Ruby Walker attempted a grubber‑kick that fell short, allowing Stanley to collect the ball and sprint clear for a second try. She then slotted a long‑range penalty three minutes before the break, extending the lead to 8‑0.
The second half began with York looking to consolidate their advantage. Eight minutes in, Stanley surged forward and crossed for what seemed to be a second try, but the Video Referee intervened after the replay showed she lost control of the ball in the act of scoring, nullifying the points. Undeterred, York’s defence held firm as Leeds pressed hard, but the Valkyrie kept their two‑score cushion intact. Midway through the second half, Leeds’ Georgia Elliston powered over the line, only for the Video Referee to rule the try out for obstruction.
York then sealed the match with a decisive try from Adaoha Akwiwu, who burst through the defence after receiving a short pass from Stanley, bringing the score to a comfortable 12‑0. Leeds managed a final flare of hope when Ebony Stead appeared to dive over for a try in the closing minutes, but a third Video Referee review confirmed she had lost control of the ball while grounding it, and the try was disallowed. 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 (HIA) and would miss the Grand Final. After the game, Valkyrie head coach Leon Pryce spoke to Sky Sports, 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." The upcoming Grand Final will also feature a spotlight on the 2026 Woman of Steel awards.
Wigan Warriors dominate the shortlist, with three of their players – Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams – nominated for the league’s most prestigious individual accolade. Foubister, the 19‑year‑old half‑back, has been instrumental in Wigan’s attacking play, scoring nine tries in 18 appearances across all competitions and delivering a Player of the Match performance in the Women’s Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, where she set up two tries and provided three line‑break assists. Eva Hunter, the reigning Woman of Steel, has continued her prolific form under coach Denis Betts, crossing for 23 tries this season.
The dynamic second‑rower’s speed, power and defensive work rate have been key factors in Wigan’s success, and she 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 campaign, has quickly become a reliable workhorse for the Cherry & White. In her first two seasons, she has consistently contributed to the team’s forward momentum, adding four tries during the Super Four phase of the competition and helping Wigan maintain their push for another historic season.
Fans can watch the Grand Final live on Sky Sports on 27 September, with the match expected to showcase a clash of styles – York’s gritty, defensively‑solid approach versus Wigan’s attacking flair and individual brilliance. The outcome will determine who lifts the Women’s Super League trophy for 2026, and the result will also shape the narrative heading into the Woman of Steel awards ceremony, scheduled for the evening of 29 September in Manchester. Regardless of the final score, York Valkyrie's remarkable resurgence and Wigan Warriors' continued dominance promise an exciting culmination to a season that has already delivered drama, surprise and high‑quality rugby league. The stage is set for a memorable finale that will captivate supporters of both clubs and the wider women's game.