Beau Greaves has been confirmed as the top seed for the 2026 Betfred Women’s World Matchplay, with Lisa Ashton opening her title defence against Rhian O’Sullivan at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens on Sunday July 26.
The eight-player field is now locked, giving the PDC’s women’s showpiece a clear bracket one month before the event returns to the Empress Ballroom. Greaves, a two-time winner of the tournament, has been paired with Finland’s Kirsi Viinikainen in the quarter-finals.
Ashton’s defence starts in the opposite half against Wales’ O’Sullivan, while 2022 champion Fallon Sherrock meets Deta Hedman. Gemma Hayter will face Swedish debutant Vicky Pruim, whose Women’s Series title in May helped turn a strong campaign into a first Blackpool appearance.
Blackpool Places Carry Bigger Stakes
The latest PDC Women’s World Matchplay draw also underlines the reward on offer beyond the trophy. The winner will qualify for November’s Grand Slam of Darts and the 2026/27 World Darts Championship, while the top prize has been raised to £15,000.
Greaves’ ranking lead is emphatic: the official top eight has her on £45,700, ahead of Ashton on £15,550 and Sherrock on £13,150. That makes her the statistical benchmark, but Ashton’s 2025 final win over Sherrock means the reigning champion still carries the target on stage.
For the PDC, the draw keeps three headline names in separate early lanes. For Greaves, Ashton and Sherrock, it turns July 26 into more than a one-day title shot: Blackpool is also the gateway to the next wave of televised majors.
