Beau Greaves and Fallon Sherrock are set to battle for the Betfred Women’s World Matchplay title on Sunday, with former champion Lisa Ashton also returning to defend her crown in Blackpool. The eight highest‑ranked players from the PDC Women’s Series will converge at the historic Winter Gardens, and the action will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Action from 1 p.m.
The champion will walk away with a £15,000 first‑place prize, while the runner‑up receives £8,000 and the other competitors share a total prize fund of £40,000. Greaves arrives as the clear favourite. In just a short span she has already etched her name into darts history, becoming the first woman to capture a PDC ranking title when she triumphed at Players Championship 11 in April.
She also claimed the Women’s Matchplay trophy 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 huge surprise for me," Greaves admitted.
"The standard on the tour is incredibly high, so I expected it would take longer to settle in. It’s a privilege to compete against the players I grew up watching. I love darts, I love competing, and every match feels like a bonus.
This tournament is something we all look forward to; it’s vital for the growth of the women’s game, and I’m thrilled to be back." In the quarter‑finals, Greaves will face 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, reflected on her past success: "Winning the 2022 title was one of the biggest moments of my career. Blackpool holds a special place in my heart, so returning to the Women’s World Matchplay is exciting.
I’m determined to reclaim the trophy after the disappointment of missing match darts last year. I’m really hungry to win it, but the competition will be fierce – Deta is a top‑class opponent and you have to bring your A‑game every time you face her." Ashton, a four‑time Lakeside Women’s champion, also has a chance to join Greaves as the only player to secure back‑to‑back Women’s World Matchplay crowns. She will begin her title defence against Welsh No 1 Rhian O’Sullivan.
"I was 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 made it even more special. This is definitely one of my greatest achievements – a PDC title I’ve always wanted, and finally I got it!" The tournament’s format follows a best‑of‑nine‑legs structure for the quarter‑finals and semi‑finals, culminating in a best‑of‑eleven‑legs final. The schedule kicks off at 13:00 with four quarter‑final matches: Beau Greaves vs Kirsi Viinikainen, Gemma Hayter vs Vicky Pruim, Lisa Ashton vs Rhian O’Sullivan, and Fallon Sherrock vs Deta Hedman.
The winners advance to two semi‑finals, and the two survivors meet in the championship match. Beyond the prize money, the event carries significant weight for the development of women’s darts.
It provides a high‑profile platform on a major sports network, showcases the depth of talent across the women’s circuit, and offers younger players a clear pathway to professional success. The inclusion of seasoned stars like Ashton and Sherrock alongside rising talents such as Greaves and Viinikainen illustrates the sport’s growing competitiveness and the increasing parity between generations. Fans can follow the live coverage on Sky Sports Action, and the broadcast will also be available via the NOW streaming service for those without a traditional TV subscription. For viewers seeking additional content, Sky Sports maintains a WhatsApp channel that delivers up‑to‑date news, video highlights, in‑depth analysis, and behind‑the‑scenes features throughout the tournament.
The 2025 edition follows a dramatic 2024 campaign where Ashton secured a surprising victory in Blackpool, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the competition. As the new season unfolds, questions abound: Will Greaves cement her dominance with a third title in four years?
Can Sherrock rebound from last year’s heartbreak and reclaim the crown? Or will Ashton repeat her back‑to‑back success and become the first player to win consecutive Women’s World Matchplay titles?
Regardless of the outcome, the tournament promises high‑octane darts, intense rivalries, and a celebration of the sport’s growing female talent pool. The stage is set, the players are ready, and the world will be watching from 1 p.m. on Sunday. May the best dartswoman win.