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 Blackpool to protect her crown. The elite eight competitors, determined by their positions on the PDC Women’s Series leaderboard, will converge at the iconic Winter Gardens. The event will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Action from 1 p.m.
on Sunday afternoon, and the champion will walk away with a £15,000 first‑place prize. Greaves enters the tournament as the clear favorite, having already secured two Matchplay victories 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 title at Players Championship 11 in April. "Winning a ProTour event so early in my career was a total surprise to me," Greaves admitted, recalling her triumphs in 2023 and 2024 and the disappointment of a semi‑final defeat to Ashton in last year’s edition. She added that the standard of play on the professional circuit is "unreal," and that she expected to need more time to settle in. "It’s amazing to share the stage with players I grew up watching.
I love darts, I love competing, so 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 opening round, Greaves will face Finland’s Kirsi Viinikainen in the quarter‑finals. 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 2022 victory: "Winning that title was one of the biggest achievements of my career in the women’s game. Blackpool holds a special place in my heart, so returning to the Women’s World Matchplay is a privilege.
I’m determined to reclaim the trophy this year, especially after the heartbreak of missing match darts in the final last year. I’m really hungry to win it, but I know it will be a tough battle – Deta is a high‑quality opponent and you always have to bring your A‑game against her." Lisa Ashton, the 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 have secured back‑to‑back Women’s World Matchplay titles.
Ashton’s title defence begins against Welsh No. 1 Rhian O’Sullivan.
"I was absolutely over the moon when I lifted the trophy last year," Ashton said. "Playing in Blackpool has always been a dream, and winning it in my hometown was simply brilliant. This is definitely one of my biggest achievements – a PDC title I always wanted, and finally I did it!" The tournament format follows a straightforward knockout structure. The quarter‑finals, starting at 13:00, are best‑of‑nine legs and feature the following match‑ups: 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 legs, before the final, which is contested over best‑of‑eleven legs. The prize fund totals £40,000, with £15,000 awarded to the champion, £8,000 to the runner‑up, £4,500 to each semi‑finalist, and £2,000 to each quarter‑finalist.
Beyond the on‑stage drama, the event highlights the growing prominence of women’s darts within the professional circuit. Sky Sports’ live coverage, complemented by streaming options via NOW, ensures fans can follow every throw.
The tournament also serves as a platform for emerging talent to test themselves against established stars, fostering a competitive environment that pushes the sport forward. As the day unfolds, viewers can expect high‑stakes encounters, dramatic finishes, and moments that could define the next chapter of women’s darts. Whether it’s Greaves seeking a third title in four years, Sherrock aiming to avenge last year’s missed darts, or Ashton striving to become the first back‑to‑back champion, the stakes are high and the atmosphere electric.
The competition promises to deliver a showcase of skill, determination, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that characterises the sport at its highest level. Live coverage begins at 1 p.m.
on Sunday on Sky Sports Action, with streaming available for those who prefer to watch online.