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 a flawless 12‑0 victory in the semi‑final played at Headingley, overcoming Leeds Rhinos in a match that highlighted their remarkable turnaround this 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 witness York take on the powerhouse Wigan side. York's journey to this point has been nothing short of dramatic.
Just weeks earlier, the team suffered heavy defeats – a 38‑16 loss to Leeds on 8 August and a 44‑0 drubbing at the hands of Wigan on 15 August. Since those setbacks, the Valkyrie have reversed their fortunes dramatically, stringing together a series of impressive performances: a home win over Leeds, an away triumph against St Helens, and a hard‑fought victory over Wigan at home before sealing the semi‑final win. The semi‑final itself was a tightly contested affair for the first 21 minutes, with neither side able to break the deadlock. The deadlock was finally shattered in the 22nd minute when Liv Wood displayed brilliant footwork, twisting and turning before grounding the ball for York’s opening try.
Tara Jane Stanley added the conversion, putting York ahead 6‑0. As the first half drew to a close, Leeds appeared to be on the verge of a breakthrough when Ruby Walker attempted a grubber‑kick that proved errant. Stanley seized the opportunity, scooping up the loose ball and sprinting clear for a potential try. Instead, she opted for a penalty goal, nailing a long‑range kick that extended York’s lead to 8‑0 with just three minutes remaining before the break.
The second half began with York looking to consolidate their advantage. Eight minutes in, Stanley broke through the defensive line and seemed to score a second try, which would have put York comfortably ahead.
However, the Video Referee reviewed the footage and determined that she had lost control of the ball in the act of grounding, overturning the try. The decision appeared to galvanise Leeds, who launched a series of aggressive attacks. York’s defence held firm, preserving their two‑score cushion. Midway through the half, Leeds’ Georgia Elliston powered over the line, but once again the Video Referee intervened, citing obstruction and disallowing the try.
York finally put the game beyond doubt when Adaoha Akwiwu received a short pass from Stanley and burst through the Leeds defence for a try, bringing the score to 12‑0. The Valkyrie maintained their composure for the remainder of the match, despite a late scare when Ebony Stead appeared to cross the line for Leeds. The Video Referee, for the third time that evening, ruled the effort out after confirming that Stead had lost control of the ball before grounding it.
The victory was bittersweet for York, however, as it was later announced that Tara Jane Stanley had failed her Head Injury Assessment (HIA) and would miss the grand final. Stanley had been a standout performer throughout the semi‑final, and her absence will be felt on the day of the championship. In post‑match comments to Sky Sports, York head coach Leon Pryce reflected on the team's improbable run: "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." On the other side of the final, Wigan Warriors are entering the match with a strong showing in the individual awards arena. Three of their players—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.
Foubister, the 19‑year‑old half‑back, has been a key architect of Wigan’s attack this season, scoring nine tries in 18 appearances 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 added another prolific chapter to her career, crossing for 23 tries across all competitions and becoming the first woman to score four tries in a Challenge Cup Final at Wembley. Megan Williams, a versatile loose forward, has quickly become a mainstay in the Warriors’ forward pack since joining from St Helens ahead of the 2025 season, adding four tries in the Super Four phase and helping Wigan maintain their push for another historic campaign. The upcoming grand final promises a clash of contrasting styles: York’s resilient, defense‑first approach versus Wigan’s dynamic, attack‑oriented play.
Fans can look forward to a high‑stakes encounter that will decide the champion of the 2026 Women's Super League. The match will be televised live on Sky Sports, with kickoff at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, 27 September, at the Brick Community Stadium.