Women's World Matchplay

On Sunday, July 26, the fifth edition of the Women's World Matchplay was held at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. Once again, eight women competed for the title, with defending champion Lisa Ashton looking to retain the trophy she won for the first time in 2025. In the end, it was Beau Greaves who returned to the top, defeating former champion Fallon Sherrock 6–5 in the final.

Greaves started the tournament against Finland's Kirsi Viinikainen. The top seed produced consecutive checkouts of 148 and 144 on her way to a convincing 5–1 victory. Gemma Hayter had a much more difficult quarter-final, edging out Swedish Vicky Pruim 5–4. Defending champion Lisa Ashton defeated Rhian O'Sullivan 5–2, while Sherrock produced the most convincing result of the opening round, whitewashing Deta Hedman 5–0 without allowing her opponent a dart at a double.

In the semi-finals, Greaves faced Hayter and was pushed all the way. Hayter stayed with the two-time champion throughout the match and forced a deciding leg, but Greaves eventually survived the scare to win 5–4 and reach another Blackpool final. Sherrock had considerably fewer problems against Ashton. After needing a deciding leg to reach the final in 2025, this time "The Queen of the Palace" dominated the defending champion and recorded a 5–1 victory to qualify for the Women's World Matchplay final for the third consecutive year.

The final between Greaves and Sherrock developed into another close contest. Greaves appeared to be heading towards the title, but Sherrock refused to give in. She produced an 11-dart break of throw before taking out 70 in the following leg to level the match at 5–5 and force a deciding leg. Greaves responded at exactly the right moment, hitting a 180 before scoring 145 to leave herself 56 for the championship. She eventually found double 10 to complete a 6–5 victory and regain the Women's World Matchplay title.

With the victory, Beau Greaves became Women's World Matchplay champion for the third time, adding the 2026 title to her previous victories in 2023 and 2024. It also meant Sherrock suffered a 6–5 defeat in the final for the second consecutive year, having lost by the same scoreline to Lisa Ashton twelve months earlier. Greaves' victory also earned her places at the 2026 Grand Slam of Darts and the 2026/27 PDC World Darts Championship.