Beau Greaves and Fallon Sherrock are set to battle for the Betfred Women’s World Matchplay title this Sunday, while defending champion Lisa Ashton also returns to the Blackpool arena. The eight highest‑ranked players from the PDC Women’s Series will converge on the historic Winter Gardens, with the event being broadcast live on Sky Sports Action from 1 p.m.
The champion will walk away with a £15,000 first‑place prize, while the rest of the field competes for a share of a £40,000 prize pool. Greaves enters the tournament as the clear favourite. She has already secured two Matchplay crowns in 2023 and 2024 and, earlier this year, made history by becoming the first woman to capture a PDC ranking title when she triumphed at Players Championship 11 in April. "Winning a ProTour event so early in my career was a real shock," Greaves admitted, reflecting on her rapid rise.
"The standard on the tour is incredibly high, so I expected I would need more time to settle. Playing against the players I grew up watching is a dream come true. I love darts, I love competing, and this tournament is a massive bonus for the women’s game." She added that the event is one she looks forward to each year and that she is thrilled to be back in Blackpool. In the quarter‑finals, Greaves will meet Finland’s Kirsi Viinikainen, while Sherrock, the 2022 champion, opens her campaign against veteran Deta Hedman.
Sherrock’s recent history includes a painful semi‑final loss to Ashton last year, where she missed eleven match darts in the final leg. "Winning that title in 2022 remains one of my greatest achievements," Sherrock said. "Blackpool holds a special place in my heart, so returning to the Women’s World Matchplay is exciting.
I’m hungry to reclaim the trophy after the heartbreak of missing match darts last year. Deta is a formidable opponent, and I’ll need to bring my A‑game against her." Lisa Ashton, a 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 begins her defence against Wales’ top player Rhian O’Sullivan. "Winning the title last year was a dream come true," Ashton reflected.
"Playing in Blackpool, my hometown, and lifting a PDC title was absolutely brilliant. It’s one of the biggest achievements of my career." 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 prize distribution is 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, totalling £40,000. Beyond the headline matches, the event highlights the growing stature of women’s darts within the PDC framework. Since its inception, the Women’s World Matchplay has provided a high‑profile platform for female players to showcase their talent on a major stage, attracting increasing viewership and sponsorship.
The inclusion of eight top‑ranked competitors ensures a competitive field, while live coverage on Sky Sports Action brings the drama into homes across the UK and beyond. Fans can follow the action via Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel for real‑time updates, video highlights, and expert analysis. For those without a Sky subscription, the NOW streaming service offers an alternative way to watch the matches live, ensuring broader accessibility.
The quarter‑final line‑up, starting at 13:00, features: - Beau Greaves vs Kirsi Viinikainen - Gemma Hayter vs Vicky Pruim - Lisa Ashton vs Rhian O’Sullivan - Fallon Sherrock vs Deta Hedman The semi‑finals will pit the winners of Greaves/Viinikainen against Hayter/Pruim, and the victors of Ashton/O’Sullivan against Sherrock/Hedman. The final will then decide who claims the £15,000 prize. As the tournament approaches, anticipation builds among players and supporters alike.
Greaves hopes to add a third title to her résumé, Sherrock is determined to bounce back from last year’s near‑miss, and Ashton aims to defend her crown on home soil. The combination of seasoned veterans and emerging talents promises a thrilling showcase of skill, composure, and competitive spirit. Whether you are a long‑time darts enthusiast or a newcomer to the sport, the Women’s World Matchplay offers a compelling narrative of ambition, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence. Tune in this Sunday from 1 p.m.
on Sky Sports Action, or stream the action via NOW, to witness the drama unfold in Blackpool’s iconic Winter Gardens.