Race to Blackpool heats up: Final Women's World Matchplay spots to be decided this weekend on the Women’s Series

The final sprint for a place at the 2025 Betfred Women’s World Matchplay is on. This weekend’s four Women’s Series events will determine which eight players earn a coveted spot at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool — home to one of the most prestigious titles in the women’s game.

Unlike the regular Women’s Series Order of Merit, qualification for the Women’s World Matchplay is based on a rolling ranking table. Only prize money earned from the start of the Women’s Series season after the 2024 Matchplay through to this weekend’s final event counts toward qualification.

Beau Greaves is in a league of her own atop the rolling table. With £25,800 in prize money banked, the reigning champion has long secured her return to Blackpool and remains the red-hot favourite to defend her crown.

Also safely through are Noa-Lynn van Leuven (£15,600), Fallon Sherrock (£13,300), Lisa Ashton (£9,500), and Robyn Byrne (£9,300) — a strong and experienced core likely to pose a serious threat on the big stage.

Gemma Hayter is effectively over the line as well, sitting on £7,900. Barring a bizarre set of results, she’s expected to claim one of the eight spots.

The real drama lies in the final two qualification places. As things stand, Kirsi Viinikainen (£6,600) and Lorraine Winstanley (£6,400) occupy those crucial seventh and eighth positions. But their spots are far from secure.

Aileen de Graaf is leading the chasing pack on £5,900 and could leapfrog her way into contention with a strong weekend. Others just outside the top eight also have a mathematical shot, meaning every match in Milton Keynes could prove decisive.

The Women’s World Matchplay has grown in stature since its inception, and with the talent pool deeper than ever, securing a place in the final eight is a major achievement in itself.