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 clinched the semi‑final at Headingley with a flawless 12‑0 victory over the Leeds Rhinos, a result that sets up a showdown at the Brick Community Stadium on Sunday, 27 September, with a 5.30pm kick‑off broadcast live on Sky Sports. The turnaround for York has been nothing short of dramatic.
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. Since those setbacks the team has rewritten its narrative, beating Leeds at home, traveling to St Helens for a win, and then dispatching Wigan in the regular season before sealing the semi‑final triumph. The match itself began cautiously.
The first 21 minutes at Headingley were scoreless as both teams tested each other's defensive structures. The deadlock was finally broken in the 22nd minute when York’s Liv Wood executed a brilliant twist and turn, grounding the ball for a try.
Tara Jane Stanley added the conversion, putting York ahead 6‑0. Leeds pressed hard as the first half drew to a close and seemed poised to breach the York line. A last‑minute grubber‑kick from Leeds’ Ruby Walker, however, was mishit, allowing Stanley to scoop up the loose ball and sprint clear for a second try.
The try was not awarded, but the momentum shifted when Stanley slotted a long‑range penalty three minutes before the break, extending the lead to 8‑0. The second half opened with York maintaining their composure. Eight minutes in, Stanley powered forward and appeared to score her second try, which would have put York comfortably ahead. After a video referee review, the try was disallowed because she lost control of the ball in the act of grounding it.
Leeds responded with renewed vigor, launching a series of attacks, yet York’s defence held firm, preserving the two‑score advantage. At the 60‑minute mark Leeds’ Georgia Elliston broke through the defensive line and crossed for a try, only for the video referee to overturn the decision for obstruction. York then sealed the win when Adaoha Akwiwu sprinted over after a short pass from Stanley, making the score 12‑0. Leeds managed a final hopeful moment when Ebony Stead appeared to score in the closing minutes, but a third video‑referee intervention ruled the try out, confirming that Stead had lost control of the ball before grounding it.
The match ended with York victorious, but the celebration was tempered by news that Stanley, the night’s standout performer, had failed a Head Injury Assessment and will miss the Grand Final. In post‑match comments to Sky Sports, York head coach Leon Pryce expressed disbelief at the turnaround: "Nobody gave us a chance.
Everyone wrote us off, and last week the consensus was that we’d be another Saints‑vs‑Leeds game after Saints won here. We used those comments as fuel. I don’t think we got the respect we deserved, but they’ve been unbelievable. To travel to Leeds and keep them scoreless shows our grit, toughness and determination.
Against all odds we’re here, and I couldn’t be prouder. The last four or five weeks have seen us turn a corner, and we want the season to continue." While York prepares for the final, Wigan Warriors are already making headlines in the individual awards arena.
Three Warriors – Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams – have been shortlisted for the prestigious Woman of Steel award, which will be presented at the Rugby League Awards Night in Manchester on 29 September. Nineteen‑year‑old half‑back Jenna Foubister has been a key architect of Wigan’s attack this season, scoring nine tries in 18 appearances across all competitions. Her performance in the Women’s Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, where she created two tries and delivered three line‑break assists, earned her a Player of the Match accolade as the Warriors claimed their second cup.
Current Woman of Steel Eva Hunter has continued her prolific form, crossing for 23 tries in all competitions. The dynamic second‑rower’s speed, power and defensive work rate have been instrumental for Wigan, and she made history by becoming the first woman 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 quickly become a reliable forward.
The England Knights international has added four tries since the competition entered its Super Four phase, reinforcing Wigan’s push for another historic campaign. The Grand Final promises to be a clash of contrasting narratives: a York side that has defied expectations and a Wigan outfit that continues to dominate both team and individual accolades. Fans can watch the showdown live on Sky Sports on Sunday, 27 September, with kick‑off scheduled for 5.30pm. The Brick Community Stadium will host what is expected to be a thrilling conclusion to a season that has already delivered surprise, resilience and outstanding individual performances.