Manchester Swinton Lionesses secure top spot as Women’s National Championship Semi-Finals are set

The Women’s National Championship played its final regular round this weekend, bringing a very competitive season to a close.

Manchester Swinton Lionesses were crowned League Leaders on Sunday, following a comprehensive 52-0 victory against Widnes Vikings, which also marks an impressive and unbeaten 2026 campaign.

The Lionesses have taken this year’s league by storm, beating league favourites and former champions London Broncos, as well as winning the Women’s Challenge Shield Championship back in July. 

The Broncos had to settle for second place and ensured this by beating fourth-placed Warrington Wolves, 20-10.

Cardiff Demons make up the rest of the top four and claimed third spot with a convincing 48-0 victory over Bradford Bulls.

The top four teams in the National Championship will advance to the Play-Off stages which will get underway on Sunday 6 September, where they will battle for the chance to earn promotion to the Betfred Women’s Super League. 

League Leaders Manchester Swinton Lionesses will face Warrington Wolves, while London Broncos will meet Cardiff Demons in the semi-finals.

The winners of both fixtures will then progress to a fiercely contested final, which will decide the number one contender to face the bottom-placed team from the Betfred Women’s Super League Shield competition.

That fixture, coined as the ‘Promotion Play-Off Final’, will then be played as a curtain-raiser at the 2026 Women’s Grand Final. 

The 2026 Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final venue will take place at the 2026 Women’s Super Four League Leaders’ home ground, which will be revealed shortly.  

Women’s National Championship Semi-Finals:

Sunday 6 September (both 2pm KO)

Manchester Swinton Lionesses v Warrington Wolves

London Broncos v Cardiff Demons

Elsewhere, Wakefield Trinity have already been crowned League Leaders in the Women's Northern League 1 competition - securing this in style with a 0-72 victory on the road, two Sundays ago (16 August),

This competition's Play-Offs have now been confirmed and will take place on the same weekend as the Championship.

Women’s Northern League 1 Semi-Finals:

Wakefield Trinity vs Stanningley

Workington Town vs Leigh Miners Rangers

Photo Credit: Mark Stringer