Rising darts sensation Beau Greaves begins her PDC World Championship 2026 campaign against 22nd seed Daryl Gurney at Alexandra Palace on Friday evening. At just 21 years old, Greaves has already made waves in the darts world, and bookmakers are backing her as the odds-on favourite to advance to the second round.

Early Career and Rise to Prominence

Greaves’ journey in darts began at age 10, playing on her brother’s bedroom board. Her early exploits earned her a Blue Peter badge, and she gained wider attention after defeating Luke Littler, the reigning World Youth Champion, in October to reach the Youth Championship final.

Her impressive unbeaten run of 86 matches in the Women’s Series has established her as a dominant force, winning the Women’s World Championship three times. Despite her growing profile, Greaves remains grounded, continuing to play league matches at her local Doncaster social club.

Recent Achievements and Tour Progress

Greaves’ professional credentials continue to grow. She recently finished runner-up on the Development Tour, securing a two-year PDC tour card, and has performed strongly in televised tournaments, taking former world champions Gary Anderson and Michael van Gerwen to deciding legs in matches. Her three-dart average in these contests often surpassed top players, highlighting her technical ability.

Experts such as former Women’s World Championship quarter-finalist Laura Turner and world number two Luke Humphries have praised Greaves’ talent, with Humphries projecting she could become a top-32 player, potentially top-16, within a few years once fully immersed in the professional tour.

Challenges and Expectations

Despite her success, Greaves recognizes the challenge of competing consistently at the highest level. She has previously expressed that men’s and women’s darts should remain separate, citing the difficulty for a woman to consistently beat top male players over long formats. Yet, her confidence has grown, and bookmakers have installed her at 100-1 odds to lift the World Championship trophy, a reflection of both her potential and the long odds typical for women in the main draw.

PDC World Championship 2026 Prospects

Greaves’ path in the tournament is challenging but promising. A second-round match against world number 42 Callan Rydz awaits if she overcomes Gurney, with 11th seed Josh Rock potentially awaiting in the third round. Analysts believe she could surpass previous female performers at Alexandra Palace, including Fallon Sherrock, who famously won two matches in 2019.

Her nickname, “Beau and Arrow”, reflects her precision and skill, and her growing reputation suggests she could become a major contender in the coming years. Former PDC player Matt Edgar predicts she could eventually be considered one of the favourites in future World Championships as she gains experience competing against the best players week in, week out.