Beau Greaves and Fallon Sherrock are set to battle for the Betfred Women’s World Matchplay title on Sunday, while reigning champion Lisa Ashton looks to defend her crown in Blackpool. The event will feature the eight highest‑ranked players from the PDC Women’s Series, all converging at the historic Winter Gardens.
The action will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Action from 1 p.m., with the victor pocketing a £15,000 first‑place prize. Greaves arrives as the clear favourite. In just four years she has already captured three major titles, including a groundbreaking victory at Players Championship 11 in April, where she became the first woman to win a PDC ranking event. She also secured the Women’s Matchplay crown in both 2023 and 2024, only to suffer an unexpected semi‑final defeat to Ashton in last year’s edition.
"Winning a ProTour event so early in my career was a real shock to me," Greaves admitted, reflecting on her rapid rise. "The standard on the main tour is extraordinary, and I knew I would need time to adjust.
It’s a privilege to share the stage with players I’ve admired since I was a kid. I love darts, I love competing, and every opportunity feels like a bonus.
This tournament is something we all look forward to; it’s fantastic for the women’s game, and 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 loss to Ashton—opens her campaign against veteran Deta Hedman. Sherrock, a fan favourite, said, "Winning the 2022 title remains one of my biggest achievements in the women’s circuit. 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 last year.
I’m very hungry to win it, but the competition will be fierce. 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 achieve back‑to‑back Women’s World Matchplay victories, will start her defence against Welsh No 1 Rhian O’Sullivan.
The four‑time Lakeside Women’s champion expressed her excitement: "I was absolutely over the moon to lift the title last year. Playing in Blackpool has always been a dream, and winning it in my hometown made it even more special. It’s one of the biggest milestones of my career—a PDC title I’d always chased, and finally I got it!" The tournament format follows a best‑of‑nine legs structure through the quarter‑finals and semi‑finals, culminating in a best‑of‑eleven legs final. The prize fund totals £40,000, with £15,000 for the champion, £8,000 for the runner‑up, £4,500 for each semi‑finalist, and £2,000 for the quarter‑finalists.
Beyond the headline matchups, the event showcases the growing depth of talent in women’s darts. Players such as Gemma Hayter, Vicky Pruim, and the emerging Finnish contender Kirsi Viinikainen illustrate the expanding competitive field. Their participation highlights the sport’s increasing inclusivity and the opportunities now available for women to compete on the same stage as their male counterparts. Fans can follow the live coverage on Sky Sports Action, with additional updates and behind‑the‑scenes content available via Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel.
For those who prefer streaming, the NOW platform offers a contract‑free way to watch the matches alongside other top‑tier sports. As the tournament unfolds, the question on everyone’s mind is who will claim this year’s Women’s World Matchplay crown.
With Greaves looking to cement her status as a trailblazer, Sherrock eager to regain a title she once held, and Ashton aiming to become the first player to win consecutive titles, the stakes are high and the competition fierce. The drama will begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, and viewers worldwide can tune in to witness what promises to be a memorable chapter in the evolution of women’s darts.