Beau Greaves and Fallon Sherrock are set to battle for the Betfred Women’s World Matchplay title on Sunday, while defending champion Lisa Ashton returns to the Blackpool arena to protect her crown. The event will feature the eight highest‑ranked players from the PDC Women’s Series, all converging at the historic Winter Gardens.
The tournament will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Action from 13:00, with the victor pocketing a £15,000 first‑place prize. Greaves enters the competition as the clear favorite, having already secured two Matchplay titles in the past four years.
Her résumé includes a historic breakthrough earlier this season when she became the first woman to capture a PDC ranking event, triumphing at Players Championship 11 in April. "Winning a ProTour event so early in my career was a total surprise," Greaves admitted, reflecting on her rapid ascent.
She added that the standard of play on the professional circuit is "unreal," and that she expected to need more time to acclimatise. "It’s a privilege to share the stage with players I grew up watching. I love darts, I love competing, and every opportunity feels like a bonus. This tournament is a highlight for all of us, and it’s fantastic for the women’s game.
I’m thrilled to be back." In the quarter‑finals, Greaves will meet Finland’s Kirsi Viinikainen, while 2022 champion Sherrock—who narrowly missed eleven match darts in last year’s final‑leg defeat to Ashton—will open her campaign against veteran Deta Hedman. Sherrock, a fan favourite, said, "Winning the 2022 title remains one of my greatest achievements in women’s darts. Blackpool holds a special place in my heart, so returning to the Women’s World Matchplay is a real honour. I’m determined to reclaim the trophy after the heartbreak of missing match darts in the previous final.
I’m very hungry for the win, but it won’t be easy. Deta is a top‑class opponent, and you have to bring your A‑game against her every time." Ashton, who could join Greaves as the only player to claim back‑to‑back Matchplay crowns, will start her defence against Wales’ number one, Rhian O’Sullivan. The four‑time Lakeside Women’s champion expressed her excitement: "I was over the moon when I lifted the title last year. Playing in Blackpool has always been a dream, and winning in my hometown made it even more special.
This is definitely one of the biggest milestones of my career—a PDC title I always wanted, and finally I achieved it." The tournament format follows a straight knockout structure, with best‑of‑nine‑leg matches in the quarter‑finals and semi‑finals, culminating in a best‑of‑eleven‑leg final. The prize fund totals £40,000, allocated as follows: £15,000 for the champion, £8,000 for the runner‑up, £4,500 for each semi‑finalist, and £2,000 for each quarter‑finalist.
The schedule is set to begin at 13:00 with the quarter‑finals, featuring the following match‑ups: - Beau Greaves vs Kirsi Viinikainen - Gemma Hayter vs Vicky Pruim - Lisa Ashton vs Rhian O’Sullivan - Fallon Sherrock vs Deta Hedman Winners will progress to the semi‑finals, where Greaves could face Hayter or Pruim, and Ashton could meet Sherrock or Hedman, before the final showdown determines the champion. Fans can follow the live coverage on Sky Sports Action, and the event will also be streamed via the NOW platform for those without a traditional TV contract. The tournament not only showcases the elite level of women’s darts but also serves as a vital platform for growing the sport’s profile and inspiring the next generation of players. With Greaves aiming for a third title in four years, Sherrock hungry to avenge last year’s near‑miss, and Ashton looking to become the first back‑to‑back champion, the 2025 Women’s World Matchplay promises high drama, fierce competition, and a celebration of the sport’s continued evolution.