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 a flawless 12-0 victory in the semi‑final at Headingley, overcoming the Leeds Rhinos in a match that showcased their dramatic turnaround from a series of heavy defeats earlier in the season. The Grand Final is set for Sunday, 27 September, with kickoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Brick Community Stadium.
Sky Sports will broadcast the showdown live, offering fans a chance to watch York take on the seasoned Wigan side. York’s resurgence has been nothing short of remarkable. Just weeks before the semi‑final, the team suffered a 38-16 loss to Leeds on 8 August and a crushing 44-0 defeat at the hands of Wigan on 15 August. Those results could have defined their campaign, but the Valkyrie responded with a string of impressive performances: a home win over Leeds, an away triumph against St Helens, and a hard‑fought victory over Wigan at home.
Those wins built the momentum that propelled them into the semi‑final clash with Leeds. The semi‑final itself began cautiously.
The first 21 minutes at Headingley saw both sides locked in a defensive stalemate, with neither team able to breach the other's line. The deadlock was finally broken in the 22nd minute when York’s Liv Wood displayed exceptional footwork, twisting and turning before grounding the ball for a try.
Tara Jane Stanley successfully converted the try, giving York an early 6‑0 lead. As the first half drew to a close, Leeds threatened to score when Ruby Walker attempted a grubber kick that fell short.
Stanley seized the loose ball, sprinted clear of the defense, and added a second try, extending the lead to 12‑0 after a flawless conversion. Just before the break, Stanley further increased the margin by slotting a long‑range penalty, bringing the halftime score to 8‑0. The second half started with high drama. Eight minutes after the restart, Stanley appeared to score her second try of the match, but a video referee review showed she lost control of the ball while grounding it, and the try was disallowed.
Leeds responded with a flurry of attacks, but York’s defence held firm, preserving their two‑score advantage. At the 60‑minute mark, Leeds' Georgia Elliston broke through the defensive line and touched down under the posts. Once again, the video referee intervened, citing obstruction, and the try was nullified.
York then secured the win when Adaoha Akwiwu received a short pass from Stanley, burst through the Rhinos’ defense, and crossed for a try, cementing the 12‑0 scoreline. Leeds made a final push in the closing minutes. Ebony Stead seemed to have scored a try out wide, offering a glimmer of hope for the Rhinos, but a third video referee decision of the evening ruled the effort out after replays showed Stead lost control of the ball before grounding it.
The match ended on a bittersweet note for York. Their standout player, Tara Jane Stanley, who had contributed heavily to the victory, failed a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) and was ruled out of the upcoming Grand Final. Despite this setback, the Valkyrie can take pride in their performance and the resilience they displayed throughout the season. York head coach Leon Pryce spoke to Sky Sports after the win, 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." In parallel news, the 2026 Woman of Steel awards will be dominated by Wigan Warriors, who have three players shortlisted for the prestigious individual honour. Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter, and Megan Williams have all earned a place on the shortlist ahead of the Rugby League Awards Night in Manchester on 29 September.
Foubister, a 19‑year‑old half‑back, has been a key architect of 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 created 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 has demonstrated blistering pace, powerful ball‑carrying, and relentless defensive work, and made history by becoming the first woman to score four tries in a Challenge Cup Final at Wembley. Megan Williams, who joined Wigan from St Helens ahead of the 2025 campaign, has quickly become a cornerstone of the side.
The England Knights international loose forward has added four tries during the Super Four phase, reinforcing Wigan's push for another historic season. Fans can look forward to a thrilling Grand Final on 27 September, as Wigan Warriors and York Valkyrie battle for the championship. The match will be streamed live on Sky Sports, with kickoff at 5:30 p.m., promising a showcase of skill, determination, and the culmination of a season filled with unexpected twists and inspiring comebacks.