Beau Greaves Handed Women’s World Matchplay Route As Ashton Draws Van Leuven

Draw confirmed for Blackpool

Beau Greaves has been handed her route through the 2026 Betfred Women’s World Matchplay after the PDC confirmed the eight-player field and draw, with Lisa Ashton’s meeting against Noa-Lynn van Leuven the headline first-round tie. Greaves enters as No.1 seed, putting the leading name in the women’s game at the top of the Blackpool bracket on World Matchplay Sunday.

What the draw means

The announcement gives Greaves a clear target at the Winter Gardens, where the women’s event again shares the spotlight during one of darts’ most recognisable weeks. Seeding matters in a short knockout format: one slow start can end a campaign, and every opening leg carries pressure because there is little time to recover.

Ashton versus Van Leuven is the standout pairing because it matches vast stage experience with a player who has become a regular talking point in the women’s circuit. The winner would strengthen her case as a genuine title threat, while also removing a dangerous rival early.

Full field confirmed

Alongside Greaves, Ashton and Van Leuven, the confirmed line-up features Fallon Sherrock, Gemma Hayter, Kirsi Viinikainen, Robyn Byrne and Rhian O’Sullivan. That mix brings proven television pedigree, emerging European quality and players capable of turning a compact afternoon schedule into a series of tight finishes.

The PDC’s official draw confirmation sets the framework for the build-up, but form on the day will decide everything. Short-format matches reward clean scoring, composed doubling and the ability to settle quickly under Winter Gardens noise.

Summary and next step

Greaves will arrive as the player to beat, but the Women’s World Matchplay draw gives immediate intrigue through Ashton’s clash with Van Leuven and a field deep enough to punish hesitation. Fans should watch for early doubling percentages, because missed chances often decide this event before averages tell the full story. Coverage now turns to form, preparation and Blackpool momentum ahead this summer.