Beau Greaves and Fallon Sherrock are back in Blackpool on Sunday, aiming to reclaim the Betfred Women’s World Matchplay title as the defending champion Lisa Ashton also takes the stage. The elite eight from the PDC Women’s Series rankings will converge at the historic Winter Gardens, with live coverage on Sky Sports Action starting at 1 p.m. The champion will walk away with a £15,000 first‑place prize, while the runner‑up receives £8,000 and the rest of the prize fund totals £40,000.
Greaves enters the tournament as the clear favorite. In just four years she has already amassed three major titles, including back‑to‑back Women’s Matchplay victories in 2023 and 2024. Her breakthrough came earlier this year when she became the first woman to capture a PDC ranking event, winning Players Championship 11 in April.
"Winning a ProTour event so quickly was a shock to me," Greaves admitted, reflecting on her rapid rise. She added that the standard of play on the professional circuit is "unreal" and that she expected it would take her time to settle. Yet she now finds herself competing against the very players she admired as a child, a situation she describes as a dream come true.
"I love darts, I love playing darts, so it’s all a bonus for me," she said, emphasizing how much she looks forward to the tournament each year. "This event is great for the women's game, and I’m really excited to be back." In the quarter‑finals Greaves will meet Finland’s Kirsi Viinikainen, a steady competitor who has shown she can challenge the top seeds. Meanwhile, 2022 champion Fallon Sherrock, who narrowly missed eleven match darts in last year’s final‑leg loss to Ashton, opens her campaign against veteran Deta Hedman. Sherrock, a fan favourite, reflected on her past success: "Winning the title in 2022 is one of my biggest achievements in the women’s game.
Blackpool is one of my favourite tournaments, so it’s great to be part of the Women’s World Matchplay again." She is determined to recover the trophy after the heartbreak of last year. "I just want to go there this year and get that title back, especially after missing match darts in the final," she said. "I’m really hungry to win it, but it’s going to be tough.
Deta is a quality player 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 victory, she will join Greaves as the only player to have won consecutive Women’s World Matchplay titles. Ashton begins her defence against Welsh No 1 Rhian O’Sullivan.
"I was absolutely over the moon to win this title last year," Ashton recalled. "It’s always a dream for me to play here in Blackpool, but to win it in my hometown – it was absolutely brilliant. This was definitely one of my biggest achievements. It’s a PDC title, one I always wanted to win, and I finally did it!" The tournament format is straightforward: the quarter‑finals start at 13:00, played over a best‑of‑nine‑legs format.
The match‑ups are Beau Greaves vs Kirsi Viinikainen, Gemma Hayter vs Vicky Pruim, Lisa Ashton vs Rhian O’Sullivan, and Fallon Sherrock vs Deta Hedman. Winners advance to the semi‑finals, also best‑of‑nine, before a best‑of‑eleven‑legs final decides the champion. Beyond the on‑stage drama, the event highlights the growing professionalism and visibility of women’s darts.
Since its inception, the Women’s World Matchplay has attracted increasing sponsorship, media coverage, and prize money, signalling a shift toward greater gender parity in the sport. The £15,000 winner’s purse, while modest compared to the men’s majors, represents a significant step forward and provides a tangible incentive for emerging talent.
The competition also serves as a showcase for the depth of the women’s field. Players like Kirsi Viinikainen and Vicky Pruim, though less heralded, have demonstrated consistency throughout the season, earning their spots among the top eight.
Their presence underscores that the gap between the elite and the rest is narrowing, making each match unpredictable and exciting for fans. For viewers, Sky Sports Action will broadcast the entire event live, with additional commentary and analysis available via the network’s digital platforms.
Fans can also follow real‑time updates on Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel, which provides highlights, interviews, and behind‑the‑scenes content. Those who prefer streaming can access the coverage through NOW, the service that offers live darts alongside a broader sports portfolio. As the day unfolds, the key storylines will revolve around whether Greaves can secure a third title in four years, if Sherrock can overcome last year’s disappointment to reclaim her crown, and whether Ashton can defend her title and join the exclusive back‑to‑back club. The blend of seasoned champions and hungry newcomers promises a compelling narrative that will likely influence the trajectory of women’s darts for seasons to come.
The stakes are high, the atmosphere in Blackpool is electric, and the players are poised to deliver a memorable showcase of skill, determination, and sportsmanship. Whether you are a long‑time follower of darts or a newcomer drawn by the rising profile of the women’s game, Sunday’s Women’s World Matchplay offers a thrilling spectacle that underscores the sport’s evolving landscape.