Beau Greaves and Fallon Sherrock are set to battle for the Betfred Women’s World Matchplay title on Sunday, with defending champion Lisa Ashton also in the mix at the iconic Winter Gardens in Blackpool. The event will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Action from 1 p.m., and the champion will walk away with a £15,000 prize fund. All eight qualifiers from the PDC Women’s Series rankings will converge on the historic venue for a day of high‑stakes darts.
Greaves enters the tournament as the clear favourite, having already secured two consecutive World Matchplay crowns in 2023 and 2024 and becoming the first woman to capture a PDC ranking title when she triumphed at Players Championship 11 in April. Her recent success has sparked confidence, but she acknowledges the depth of talent on the tour. "Winning a ProTour event so early in my career was a huge surprise for me," Greaves admitted. "The standard on the circuit is extraordinary, and I knew I would need more experience to feel fully settled.
It’s a privilege to compete against players I grew up watching. I love darts, I love the competition, and every match feels like a bonus. This tournament is one we all look forward to – it’s great for the women’s game and I’m thrilled to be back." In the quarter‑finals, Greaves will meet Finland’s Kirsi Viinikainen, while Sherrock, the 2022 champion, opens her campaign against veteran Deta Hedman.
Sherrock’s previous final ended in disappointment when she missed eleven match darts against Ashton, a loss that fuels her determination this year. "Winning the 2022 title was one of the highlights of my career," Sherrock said. "Blackpool holds a special place in my heart, so returning to the Women’s World Matchplay is exciting. I’m eager to reclaim the trophy after the heartbreak of last year’s final.
I’m hungry for victory, but the competition will be fierce – Deta is a top‑class opponent and you always have to bring your A‑game against her." Lisa Ashton, a four‑time Lakeside Women’s champion, also has a chance to make history. If she repeats her success, she will join Greaves as the only player to win back‑to‑back Women’s World Matchplay titles. Ashton’s defence begins against Welsh No 1 Rhian O’Sullivan. "I was over the moon when I lifted the title last year," Ashton reflected.
"Playing in Blackpool has always been a dream, and winning in my hometown made it even more special. It’s one of my biggest achievements – a PDC title I’ve long chased, and finally I secured it." The tournament format follows a best‑of‑nine‑legs structure for the quarter‑finals and semi‑finals, culminating in a best‑of‑eleven‑legs final. The prize distribution awards £15,000 to the champion, £8,000 to the runner‑up, £4,500 to each semi‑finalist, and £2,000 to the quarter‑finalists, totalling £40,000. Beyond the headline matches, the event showcases the rapid growth of women’s darts.
Since the introduction of the Women’s Series, the sport has seen a surge in participation, sponsorship, and viewership. Players like Greaves, who broke new ground by winning a PDC ranking event, are inspiring a new generation of female competitors.
Sherrock’s charismatic presence and historic achievements – including being the first woman to win a match at the PDC World Championship – have also elevated the profile of the women’s game. The Blackpool stage is renowned for its electric atmosphere, with fans gathering in the historic Winter Gardens to support their favourites. The venue’s intimate setting allows spectators to feel the tension of each dart thrown, creating a compelling viewing experience that translates well to the televised broadcast. For fans unable to attend in person, Sky Sports Action offers live coverage, and the match can also be streamed via the NOW platform, providing flexible viewing options.
The tournament’s schedule begins at 13:00 with the quarter‑finals, followed by the semi‑finals later in the afternoon, and the final slated for early evening. As the day unfolds, all eyes will be on Greaves to see if she can secure a third World Matchplay title in four years, on Sherrock to determine whether she can bounce back from last year’s near‑miss, and on Ashton to defend her crown and possibly join the exclusive club of consecutive winners. The competition promises high drama, skillful play, and a showcase of the depth of talent in women’s darts. Whether you are a dedicated darts enthusiast or a casual viewer, the Women’s World Matchplay offers a compelling narrative of ambition, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence.
Tune in on Sunday from 1 p.m. on Sky Sports Action or stream the action through NOW to witness who will emerge victorious and claim the coveted £15,000 prize.