Beau Greaves and Fallon Sherrock are set to chase the Betfred Women’s World Matchplay title on Sunday, while reigning champion Lisa Ashton returns to defend her crown in Blackpool. The elite eight from the PDC Women’s Series rankings will converge at the historic Winter Gardens, with live coverage on Sky Sports Action beginning at 1 p.m.
The victor will pocket a £15,000 first‑place prize, with additional prize money for runners‑up and semi‑finalists. Greaves enters the tournament as the clear favorite, having already secured two Matchplay crowns in the past four years. She made history earlier this year by becoming the first woman to capture a PDC ranking event, winning Players Championship 11 in April.
"Winning a ProTour event so early in my career was a real surprise to me," Greaves admitted. "I knew I could compete, but the standard on the main tour is astonishing. I expected it would take me longer to find my footing. 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." Greaves will open her campaign against Finland’s Kirsi Viinikainen in the quarter‑finals. Sherrock, the 2022 champion who narrowly missed eleven match darts in last year’s final‑leg defeat to Ashton, will face veteran Deta Hedman. Sherrock reflected on her previous triumph: "Winning the title in 2022 remains one of my greatest achievements in the women’s circuit.
Blackpool holds a special place in my heart, so returning to the Women’s World Matchplay feels like coming home. I’m determined to reclaim the trophy after the heartbreak of missing match darts last year. I’m absolutely hungry for victory, but Deta is a world‑class opponent and you have to bring your A‑game against her." Ashton, a four‑time Lakeside Women’s champion, has the chance to become the first player to retain the Women’s World Matchplay, joining Greaves as a back‑to‑back winner.
She will start her defence against Wales’ top‑ranked player Rhian O’Sullivan. "I was over the moon when I lifted the title last year," Ashton said. "Playing in Blackpool has always been a dream, and winning it in my hometown was simply brilliant.
It’s one of the biggest milestones of my career – a PDC title I’d longed for, and finally I achieved it." The tournament’s format features best‑of‑nine‑leg matches in the quarter‑finals and semi‑finals, culminating in a best‑of‑eleven‑leg final. The schedule is as follows: - Quarter‑Finals (from 13:00): Beau Greaves vs Kirsi Viinikainen; Gemma Hayter vs Vicky Pruim; Lisa Ashton vs Rhian O’Sullivan; Fallon Sherrock vs Deta Hedman. - Semi‑Finals: Winners of Greaves/Viinikainen vs Hayter/Pruim; Winners of Ashton/O’Sullivan vs Sherrock/Hedman.
- Final: Best of 11 legs. Prize money is distributed as £15,000 for the champion, £8,000 for the runner‑up, £4,500 for each semi‑finalist, and £2,000 for quarter‑finalists, totalling £40,000. The event not only showcases the top talent in women’s darts but also highlights the rapid growth of the sport. Since the introduction of the Women’s Series, more players are breaking through traditional barriers, with Greaves’ historic Players Championship win serving as a prime example of the increasing competitiveness and visibility of female athletes in the PDC.
Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports Action, with additional updates and highlights available via Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel. For those who prefer streaming, the NOW platform offers live darts coverage without a long‑term contract. As the day approaches, the atmosphere in Blackpool is electric.
The Winter Gardens, a venue steeped in darts history, will once again host a showcase of skill, determination, and sportsmanship. Whether you’re a longtime follower of the women’s circuit or a newcomer drawn by the compelling stories of Greaves, Sherrock, and Ashton, Sunday’s matchplay promises high‑octane drama and the chance to witness a new champion emerge. Who will claim the Women’s World Matchplay crown this year?
Tune in from 1 p.m. on Sunday on Sky Sports Action to find out.