York Valkyrie have booked their place in the 2026 Women’s Super League Grand Final, earning a spot against defending champions Wigan Warriors after a commanding 12‑0 victory over Leeds Rhinos in the semi‑final at Headingley. The final will be contested at the Brick Community Stadium on Sunday, 27 September, with kickoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
on Sky Sports. The Valkyrie’s journey to this moment has been nothing short of dramatic.
After suffering heavy defeats – 38‑16 to Leeds on 8 August and 44‑0 to Wigan a week later – the York side turned their fortunes around in spectacular fashion. They rebounded with a home win over Leeds, a road triumph against St Helens, and a hard‑fought victory over Wigan before sealing the semi‑final win that propelled them into the championship decider. The match at Headingley began with a tense, scoreless first 21 minutes as both teams tested each other’s defenses.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 22nd minute when York’s Liv Wood displayed a blend of agility and strength, twisting past defenders to ground the ball for a try. Tara‑Jane Stanley added the conversion, giving York an early 6‑0 lead. Just before halftime, Leeds appeared poised to answer, with Ruby Walker attempting a grubber kick that fell short. Stanley seized the opportunity, gathering the loose ball and sprinting clear to the try‑line, extending the lead to 12‑0 after a successful conversion.
Three minutes later, she further increased York’s advantage with a well‑taken penalty from distance, putting the hosts up 8‑0 at the break. The second half started with York on the offensive.
Eight minutes in, Stanley broke through the line and seemed set to score her second try, but the Video Referee intervened after replays showed she lost control of the ball during the grounding, overturning the try. Undeterred, York’s defence held firm as Leeds launched a series of attacks, only to be repeatedly denied by the Video Referee. Leeds’ Georgia Elliston crossed under the posts for what looked like a crucial try, but the Video Referee again ruled the effort out for obstruction. York’s persistence paid off when Adaoha Akwiwu capitalised on a short pass from Stanley, bursting through the defensive line to secure the final try and cement a 12‑0 shutout.
In the closing stages, Leeds’ Ebony Stead appeared to score a late try that could have sparked a comeback, yet for the third time that evening the Video Referee nullified the score, citing loss of control of the ball. The match concluded with York celebrating a flawless defensive performance, though 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 reflected on the achievement in an 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." The upcoming Grand Final will also feature a showdown for individual accolades.
Wigan Warriors dominate the shortlist for the 2026 Woman of Steel award, with three of their players – Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams – named among the final contenders. The award ceremony will take place during the Rugby League Awards Night in Manchester on Tuesday, 29 September.
Nineteen‑year‑old half‑back Jenna Foubister earned her nomination after an influential season, scoring nine tries in 18 appearances and delivering a standout Player of the Match performance 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, continued her prolific form under coach Denis Betts, crossing for 23 tries across all competitions and becoming the first woman to score four tries in a Challenge Cup Final at Wembley. Loose forward Megan Williams, a recent addition from St Helens, has quickly become a key figure for the Warriors, adding four tries during the Super Four phase and helping Wigan maintain their push for another historic season. Fans can tune in to watch the Grand Final live on Sky Sports on 27 September, with the match promising a clash of styles – York’s gritty, defensively‑solid approach versus Wigan’s attacking firepower and star‑studded lineup.
The encounter will not only decide the champion of the Women’s Super League but also serve as a showcase for the growing talent and competitiveness of women’s rugby league in the United Kingdom. York’s unexpected rise from early-season setbacks to a Grand Final berth underscores the unpredictable nature of sport and highlights the importance of resilience, strategic adjustments, and belief in a team’s potential. As the Valkyrie prepare for the final, they will look to build on their defensive mastery while coping with the loss of Stanley, whose contributions were pivotal throughout the campaign.
Meanwhile, Wigan will aim to translate their individual brilliance into a collective victory, hoping to retain the title and add another Woman of Steel award to their already impressive haul. The stage is set for a memorable showdown, and supporters of both clubs – as well as neutrals drawn to high‑quality women's sport – will be watching closely as York Valkyrie and Wigan Warriors vie for the ultimate prize in the 2026 Women’s Super League.