The annual tungsten summer spectacular that is the World Matchplay is almost upon us. Two tournaments featuring the best players on the planet battle it out at the iconic Winter Gardens for one of the sport’s ultimate prizes.

As the famous Blackpool Tower comes into view, standing proudly on the Lancashire skyline, the countdown begins. In fact, the only ones who probably don’t get excited at this time of year are the horses on the seafront pulling those colourful carriages.

I’m no equine expert, but I can’t imagine that if I were a pony, my ideal summer’s day would involve ferrying drunken Scots dressed as traffic cones and Marvel superheroes up and down the Prom all afternoon. No amount of hay or sugar lumps could persuade me to sign up for that.

With the draw for the men’s event yet to take place, we first focus on what will be the fifth edition of the Women’s World Matchplay.

Back in 2022, it was the Queen of the Palace, Fallon Sherrock, claiming the inaugural honours. The following year, the phenomenal Beau Greaves came to the party, successfully defending her title while the rest of the field secretly hoped she’d emigrate and start tormenting another continent instead.

Then, more recently, twelve months ago, Lancashire’s very own darling, Lisa Ashton lifted the trophy in what was undoubtedly one of the proudest moments of her glittering career. And let’s face it, she’s had one hell of a lot to choose from. But that one sits right near the summit of that trophy laden mountain.

If Blackpool had allowed open-top bus parades for darts players, she’d probably still be driving around the Prom now waving at confused tourists wondering which member of the Royal Family she’d replaced. In my opinion, she’s make a far better Camilla – who, given the location, actually looks like one of horses taxiing fans around.

So, with all three former champions present again this July, will it be one of them tasting glory once more, or will there be a new name etched onto the silverware? Let’s first take a look at the quarter-final draw:

Beau Greaves (1) vs Kirsi Viinikainen (8)
Gemma Hayter (4) vs Vicky Pruim (5)
Lisa Ashton (2) vs Rhian O’Sullivan (7)
Fallon Sherrock (3) vs Deta Hedman (6)

As line-ups go, that looks pretty damn tasty to me. The majority of the eight featured last year. For the same reasons you can’t take a huge weapon through customs at an airport, Noa-Lynn van Leuven is not involved this time. And sadly for Lorraine Winstanley and Robin Byrne, such is the strength in depth, they finished outside the cut. Yet I am confident both will return again in the future.

That means a Women’s World Matchplay debut for the legendary Deta Hedman, as well as experienced Swede Vicky Pruim. Wales, meanwhile, is represented by Rhian O’Sullivan, who returns for her third tournament appearance.

Right, let’s start with the champ – the enormously decorated Lisa Ashton. She has so many glittering things attached to her name that, at Christmas in the Ashton household, they don’t bother with a tree. They just stick lights and tinsel around the Lancashire Rose, put a star on her head and ask her to stand still in the front room for about a month.

Lisa takes on the pride of Wales, Rhian O’Sullivan, in what promises to be a tricky start to her title defence. Rhian is one of those players you definitely don’t want to see opposite you in the opening round. Rather like opening your front door and finding the taxman, your mother-in-law and a bloke selling double glazing all standing there together.

Just like the other three quarter-finals, this has all the ingredients to be an absolute cracker.

Tournament favourite and two-time Winter Gardens champion Beau Greaves faces Kirsi Viinikainen. The Finn squeezed into the final qualifying spot after an understandably nervous wait following the last PDC Women’s Series event before the cut-off.

While qualifying is a tremendous achievement in itself, the reward is about as generous as winning a luxury holiday in Iraq. Her prize? A first-round meeting with the undisputed dominator of ladies’ darts. Not exactly ideal.

That said, every great sporting story has to start somewhere, and if Viinikainen can somehow pull off one of the biggest shocks the Women’s World Matchplay has ever seen, she’ll become an overnight household name. Win it, and Kirsi might even get a statue back home in Finland. It’d certainly make a refreshing change from all the skiers.

Now look at this for a clash – Queen versus Queen. One is the Queen of the Palace, the other proudly carries the title of a Caribbean variety. Two of the biggest stars women’s darts has ever produced going head-to-head on the big stage in a major televised tournament is a mouth-watering prospect.

The only shame is that one of them has to lose. If there were a way of bending the laws of physics so they could both go through, I’d happily sign the petition. Sadly, there isn’t so may be best lady win.

Then we have the unofficial self-proclaimed voice of female darts, Gemma Hayter, taking on the Belgian-born Swede, Vicky Pruim. Another quarter-final that’s about as easy to predict as next week’s winning lottery numbers.

Bafflingly, Hayter has long been a passionate advocate for pushing the ladies’ game into the spotlight, believing it doesn’t receive the recognition and exposure it deserves. Fair enough. That plea certainly didn’t pass me by because, when I launched Bang On Target, it was one of the very first things I set out to address.

My prize? Getting slammed on social media by Gemma. For what, I hear you ask? Doing exactly what the Eastleigh chucker has been crying out for – trying my best to spread the word and put the game she loves firmly in the spotlight. Go figure.

Well Gem, you’re entitled to your opinion, and naturally I respect it. Personally, though, I believe my work is good enough. Feel free to share this one if you fancy it!

As for the darts, Pruim arrives armed with a wealth of experience and, despite making her Women’s World Matchplay debut, is unlikely to be overawed by the occasion. It will be a tough ask against Gemma who has come on leaps and bounds since returning after a long absence away from the game.

Last year, Vicky’s opponent suffered an unfortunate incident involving a pigeon and its spectacularly unfortunate choice of landing spot. If Hayter isn’t at her very best in Blackpool this time around, she could be getting crapped on again this summer – but not by a feathered friend.

Overall, the bookies naturally make Beau Greaves the one to beat and believe she’ll complete a hat-trick of Women’s World Matchplay crowns. And, in fairness, it’s difficult to argue with them. Some say she is the greatest female player ever to toe the oche—myself included.

However, as brilliant as Beau is, she is still human… just about! The Doncaster Ace was the overwhelming favourite last year to make it three on the bounce, only for Lisa Ashton to rip up the script and make the relatively short journey home to Bolton with the silverware tucked safely under her arm.

So, who do you think will be lifting the trophy in 2026? Will Beau complete that hattrick, will Lisa make it back-to-back titles, will Fallon add a second Women’s World Matchplay to her collection, or could one of the other five walk away with the prize?

Whatever happens, it’s sure to be a cracking tournament and another fantastic spectacle for the women’s game, which continues to go from strength to strength.

Wishing all eight ladies the very best. Even you Gemma!