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 this opportunity by delivering a flawless 12-0 performance against Leeds Rhinos in the semi‑final held at Headingley, an away fixture that showcased their remarkable turnaround this season.
The Grand Final is set for Sunday, 27 September, with kick‑off scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Brick Community Stadium.
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, offering fans a chance to witness the culmination of a dramatic campaign that saw York rise from heavy defeats to a position of confidence. Just a few weeks earlier, York endured 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 season, but the Valkyrie responded with a string of impressive victories: a home win over Leeds, a road triumph against St Helens, and a hard‑fought victory over Wigan at home before the semi‑final.
Their resilience and rapid improvement have become the story of the year. The semi‑final itself was a tightly contested affair for the opening 21 minutes, with neither side managing to break the deadlock.
The deadlock was finally shattered in the 22nd minute when Liv Wood displayed exceptional skill, twisting and turning before grounding the ball for York's first try. Tara Jane Stanley successfully converted the conversion, giving York a 6‑0 lead.
As the first half drew to a close, Leeds appeared poised to strike when Ruby Walker attempted a grubber kick that went awry. Stanley seized the loose ball, sprinted clear, and added a penalty goal from distance 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 broke through the defensive line and grounded for what seemed to be a second try, which would have put York firmly in control.
However, the Video Referee reviewed the play and determined that she had lost control of the ball during the grounding, nullifying the try. Undeterred, York's defence held strong as Leeds launched a series of attacks, seeking to close the gap.
On the hour mark, Georgia Elliston of Leeds powered over for a try, only for the Video Referee to overturn it for obstruction. York then sealed the win when Adaoha Akwiwu burst through the defensive line off a short pass from Stanley, scoring the decisive try and bringing the final score to 12‑0. Leeds managed a late scare when Ebony Stead appeared to cross the try line in the final six minutes, but once again the Video Referee intervened, ruling that she had lost control of the ball before grounding it.
The match concluded with York victorious, but the celebration was tempered by news that Tara Jane Stanley, the team's standout performer, had failed a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) and would miss the Grand Final. York head coach Leon Pryce spoke to Sky Sports after the match, reflecting on the team's improbable journey: "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." While York prepares for the final, Wigan Warriors are already making headlines 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.
Nineteen‑year‑old half‑back Jenna Foubister has been a pivotal figure in Wigan's attack, tallying nine tries in 18 appearances across all competitions this season. Her performance in the Women's Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, where she earned Player of the Match honours by creating two tries and delivering three line‑break assists, underscores her growing reputation as one of the game's premier playmakers. Eva Hunter, the reigning Woman of Steel, has continued her prolific form under coach Denis Betts, crossing the line for 23 tries in all competitions.
The dynamic second‑rower has combined blistering speed, powerful ball‑carrying, and relentless defensive work, and she made history by becoming the first woman to score four tries in a Challenge Cup Final at Wembley. Megan Williams, a key loose forward for the Warriors, has cemented her status as a consistent forward over her first two seasons with the club. Since joining from St Helens ahead of the 2025 campaign, the England Knights international has contributed four tries during the Super Four phase, playing a vital role in Wigan's push for another historic season. The upcoming Grand Final promises a clash of contrasting narratives: York Valkyrie's underdog story and relentless resurgence versus Wigan Warriors' established dominance and star‑studded lineup.
Fans can tune in to Sky Sports on Sunday, 27 September, at 5:30 p.m. to watch what is set to be a memorable finale to an extraordinary season in women's rugby league.