Beau Greaves and Fallon Sherrock are set to battle for the Betfred Women’s World Matchplay title this Sunday, while former champion Lisa Ashton returns to defend her crown at the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool. The event will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Action from 1 p.m., featuring the eight highest‑ranked players from the PDC Women’s Series.
The champion will walk away with a £15,000 first‑place prize, with a total prize fund of £40,000 on offer. Greaves arrives in Blackpool as the clear favourite. She has already claimed two Matchplay crowns in 2023 and 2024 and, earlier this year, made history by becoming the first woman to win a PDC ranking event when she triumphed at Players Championship 11 in April. "Winning a ProTour event so early in my career was a huge surprise to me," Greaves admitted after her historic victory.
"The standard on the men’s tour is incredibly high, so I knew I would need time to adjust. Getting the chance to compete against the players I grew up watching is a dream come true. I love darts, I love competing, and this tournament is a massive bonus for me." She added, "We all look forward to this tournament.
It’s fantastic for the women's game and I’m thrilled to be back on this stage." In the quarter‑finals, Greaves will meet Finland’s Kirsi Viinikainen, a steady competitor who has been climbing the rankings steadily over the past season. Sherrock, the 2022 champion, is also eager to reclaim the trophy. After a heartbreaking loss in last year’s final‑leg showdown with Ashton—where she missed eleven match darts—Sherrock is determined to correct that mistake.
"Winning the 2022 title was one of the biggest moments of my career," she said. "Blackpool holds a special place in my heart, and I can’t wait to get that title back. I’m absolutely hungry for victory, but I know the competition will be fierce. Deta Hedman is a world‑class opponent and you have to bring your A‑game every single dart." Sherrock’s opening match pits her against veteran Deta Hedman, a former world champion who has been a mainstay of the women’s circuit for decades.
Their clash promises to be a showcase of experience versus the youthful fire that Sherrock brings. Defending champion Lisa Ashton also has a chance to make history.
If she can retain the title, she will join Greaves as the only player to win consecutive Women’s World Matchplay championships. Ashton, a four‑time Lakeside Women’s champion, will start her defence against Wales’ top‑ranked player Rhian O’Sullivan.
"Winning in Blackpool last year was a dream come true," Ashton reflected. "It’s my hometown, and lifting that trophy in front of a home crowd was absolutely brilliant. It’s one of the biggest achievements of my career, and I’m eager to prove I can do it again." The tournament format is straightforward: eight players compete in best‑of‑nine‑leg matches in the quarter‑finals and semi‑finals, with the final extending to best‑of‑eleven legs.
The schedule is as follows: - Quarter‑Finals (starting at 13:00): Beau Greaves vs Kirsi Viinikainen; Gemma Hayter vs Vicky Pruim; Lisa Ashton vs Rhian O’Sullivan; Fallon Sherrock vs Deta Hedman. - Semi‑Finals: Winners of Greaves/Viinikainen vs Hayter/Pruim; Winners of Ashton/O’Sullivan vs Sherrock/Hedman. - Final: Best of 11 legs to decide the champion.
Prize money is allocated as £15,000 for the winner, £8,000 for the runner‑up, £4,500 for each semi‑finalist, and £2,000 for each quarter‑finalist, totalling £40,000. Beyond the on‑stage drama, the event highlights the growing popularity and professionalism of women’s darts.
Since the introduction of the Women’s Series, the sport has seen a surge in participation, sponsorship, and media coverage. Players like Greaves, Sherrock, and Ashton have become household names, inspiring a new generation of female dartists to pick up a set of steel‑tipped darts and aim for the oche. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports Action, and for those who prefer streaming, the NOW platform offers a contract‑free way to watch the matches alongside other top‑level sport.
Social media updates, including Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel, will provide real‑time highlights, interviews, and behind‑the‑scenes content throughout the day. As the competition unfolds, the key storylines will revolve around whether Greaves can secure a third title in four years, if Sherrock can overcome the sting of last year’s missed darts, and whether Ashton can become the first player to defend the Women’s World Matchplay crown. The blend of seasoned veterans and rising stars promises a thrilling spectacle for both die‑hard darts enthusiasts and casual viewers alike.
With the stakes high and the prize fund substantial, the Blackpool crowd is set for a day of high‑octane darts, showcasing the skill, composure, and passion that define the women’s game today. Whether you’re cheering for the youthful brilliance of Greaves, the determined fire of Sherrock, or the experienced poise of Ashton, one thing is certain: the 2025 Women’s World Matchplay will be a memorable chapter in the sport’s evolving history.