Beau Greaves and Fallon Sherrock are set to battle for the Betfred Women’s World Matchplay title on Sunday, with Lisa Ashton returning to defend her championship on the iconic Blackpool stage. The eight highest‑ranked players from the PDC Women’s Series will converge at the Winter Gardens, and the event will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Action from 1 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.
The champion will walk away with a £15,000 prize, while the runner‑up will receive £8,000, and the remaining competitors will also earn a share of the £40,000 prize pool. Greaves enters the tournament as the clear favorite. In just four years she has already claimed three major titles, including back‑to‑back Women’s Matchplay victories in 2023 and 2024.
Earlier this year she made history by becoming the first woman to capture a PDC ranking event when she triumphed at 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 to need more time to settle in. Yet she now relishes the chance to share the stage with the players she admired as a child.
"I love darts, I love playing darts, so it’s all a bonus for me. This tournament is something we all look forward to – it’s great for the women’s game and I’m thrilled to be back," she said.
In the quarter‑finals Greaves will meet Finland’s Kirsi Viinikainen, while the 2022 champion Fallon Sherrock, who missed eleven match darts in last year’s final‑leg loss to Ashton, opens her campaign against veteran Deta Hedman. Sherrock, a fan favourite, explained her motivation: "Winning this 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. I just want to go there this year and get that title back, especially after missing match darts in the final last year. 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, the four‑time Lakeside Women’s champion, also has a chance to make history.
If she can retain her crown, she will join Greaves as the only player to win consecutive Women’s World Matchplay titles. Ashton’s defence begins against Welsh No 1 Rhian O’Sullivan. "I was absolutely over the moon to win this title last year," Ashton said.
"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, it’s one I always wanted to win, and I finally did it!" The tournament 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 is tight, with the quarter‑finals kicking off at 13:00, followed by the semi‑finals later in the afternoon, and the championship match concluding the day’s action. All matches will be streamed live on Sky Sports Action, and viewers can also follow the coverage via the NOW platform for on‑demand access.
Beyond the prize money, the event carries significant weight for the growth of women’s darts. The visibility offered by a prime‑time slot on a major sports channel helps to inspire a new generation of female players and showcases the increasing depth of talent in the women’s game. The presence of established stars like Greaves, Sherrock, and Ashton alongside emerging competitors such as Kirsi Viinikainen and Rhian O’Sullivan highlights the sport’s expanding competitive landscape. Fans can stay updated through Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel, which provides the latest news, video highlights, analysis, and exclusive behind‑the‑scenes content.
The broadcaster also encourages viewers to use Chrome for the most accessible video player experience, ensuring smooth playback of the live darts action. As the tournament unfolds, questions abound: Will Greaves secure a third title in four years and cement her status as the dominant force in women’s darts? Can Sherrock overcome the disappointment of last year’s missed darts and reclaim the trophy that solidified her reputation?
Or will Ashton, the hometown heroine, defend her crown and become the first player to win back‑to‑back Women’s World Matchplay titles? The answer will be decided on the oche this Sunday, with the world watching as the best female darts talent competes for glory, prestige, and a substantial cash prize.