Tag: sport

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FIFA introducing World Cup Fan Fest events for Qatar 2022 and could see London bid to stage its own

FIFA has launched 'Fan Fests' for the 2022 Qatar World Cup this winter, which will be outside the host country for the first time, to make the tournament more accessible for football fans

FIFA has launched ‘Fan Fests’ around the world for the 2022 Qatar World Cup to make the tournament more accessible for football fans.

The competition, lasting a little less than a month from October-November this winter, will take place in the remote Middle Eastern peninsula. 

And global football’s governing body FIFA is introducing fan parks outside the host country for the first time, to allow supporters to drink in the World Cup experience outside Qatar – and London could bid to host its own.

FIFA has launched 'Fan Fests' for the 2022 Qatar World Cup this winter, which will be outside the host country for the first time, to make the tournament more accessible for football fans

FIFA has launched ‘Fan Fests’ for the 2022 Qatar World Cup this winter, which will be outside the host country for the first time, to make the tournament more accessible for football fans

If London does secure its own venue, it would be competing with the hugely popular Winter Wonderland in the city centre around the same time. 

Officially licensed Fan Fests began at the Germany World Cup in 2006 and have continued since then. 

There were 11 festival parks across each of the host cities in the competition’s last edition, in Russia in 2018, and the previous four World Cups have seen 40million visitors across five continents.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: ‘To support our mission to make football truly global, accessible and inclusive, we are thrilled to introduce a new vision for the entertainment experience surrounding future FIFA World Cup events.

Official Fan Fests began at the Germany World Cup in 2006 and have continued since then, with 11 festival parks across each of the host cities in the last edition, in Russia in 2018

Official Fan Fests began at the Germany World Cup in 2006 and have continued since then, with 11 festival parks across each of the host cities in the last edition, in Russia in 2018

‘The FIFA Fan Festival provides an incredible opportunity for fans to come together beyond the stadiums and the on-pitch action and experience football in new and unique ways. 

‘We are truly excited about the future of the FIFA Fan Festival and the enhanced entertainment offerings that will bring fans and partners alike closer to both men’s and women’s FIFA World Cups, as well as global football culture.’

The fan parks at the Euro 2020 tournament, held across 11 countries in Europe, were largely successful, and the demand for tickets to the fan park in Hyde Park, London for the 2018 World Cup semi-final between England and Croatia was massive.

Qatar, a smaller country by area than Vanuatu, the Falkland Islands and Moldova , will only host one fan park, a ‘reimagined’ space in Al Bidda Park in Doha, with the capital city’s skyline in the background.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (pictured) called the fan parks a 'new vision for the entertainment experience' in order to 'make football truly global, accessible and inclusive'

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (pictured) called the fan parks a ‘new vision for the entertainment experience’ in order to ‘make football truly global, accessible and inclusive’

It will feature live broadcasts of every match on giant screen, concerts with top global music artists, a food court with ‘local cuisine and international delicacies’, matches with FIFA Legends, gaming stations and an official FIFA store.

The country is inaccessible compared to previous editions of the World Cup, with costs expected to be high.

If an England fan travels return from London, follow the Three Lions’ to the final (if they get there) and attend all eight matches along the way, sit in the cheapest seats and stay in the least expensive accommodation, the Football Supporters’ Association has calculated you will part with £5,000, before you pay for any food and drink.

However, this has to be caveated with the fact tickets sales have been strong, with nearly 2.5million sold so far.

FIFA will be offering fans a chance to camp at the World Cup in tents costing £350 per night

FIFA will be offering fans a chance to camp at the World Cup in tents costing £350 per night

Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy Secretary General H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi added: ‘It will be the centrepiece of our FIFA World Cup – the first to be held in the Middle East and the Arab world. 

‘When fans arrive in November, they should expect a warm welcome, amazing football and a large number of entertainment options. We look forward to welcoming the world in just over 70 days.’

The Fan Fest will appear at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, held in Australia and New Zealand, for the first time.

In July, FIFA unveiled a ‘tent city’ offering accommodation for the World Cup, which will cost supporters £350 per night as part of a ‘fan village’ camping experience. The tournament, at the time of writing, will take place in 75 days. 

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Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy ‘spearhead new PGA Tour stadium event series’

Tiger Woods (R) and Rory McIlroy (L) have teamed up to launch new PGA Tour 'stadium' events

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have teamed up to spearhead a new PGA Tour ‘stadium’ competition, according to reports.  

Woods and McIlroy have been two of the PGA Tour’s biggest supporters amid golf’s battle between the traditional tour and the new Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series and the duo have taken it upon themselves to contribute to the fightback. 

The plan was shared with their fellow professionals during the crunch players-only meeting held in Wilmington, Delaware on August 16, which was believed to be organized in response to the ongoing LIV Golf threat.  

The pair have a proposed a series of one-day events that will be staged in front of a live audience, be technology-forward and be held in a non-green grass, stadium environment, according to Golfweek. 

The events will be held in partnership with the PGA Tour and will complement, rather than conflict with, the Tour’s schedule. 

They will reportedly launch in 2024 and will run from January through to March with a finale scheduled for later in the season. 

Tiger Woods (R) and Rory McIlroy (L) have teamed up to launch new PGA Tour 'stadium' events

Tiger Woods (R) and Rory McIlroy (L) have teamed up to launch new PGA Tour ‘stadium’ events

Broadcast and gaming partners are reportedly being discussed with NBC Sports touted as a potential media partner.

It is not clear exactly what the events will entail but more details are expected to be revealed by commissioner Jay Monahan at the Tour Championship next week. 

The project has been two years in the making for Woods and McIlroy and the duo presented the idea to other anti-LIV pros last Tuesday as the movement against the Saudi-backed breakaway has gained momentum in recent weeks. 

More details are expected to be revealed by Jay Monahan at the Tour Championship

More details are expected to be revealed by Jay Monahan at the Tour Championship

LIV Golf has already managed to lure away some of the PGA Tour’s biggest names, such as Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau, with mega-money deals. 

However, Woods and McIlroy have remained loyal to the PGA with the former reportedly rejecting an $800million offer to join the rebel series. 

The project, along with their united stance against the rebel series, is said to have brought them closer together. 

Dustin Johnson (pictured right with Donald Trump) has been lured away to the LIV Golf Series

Dustin Johnson (pictured right with Donald Trump) has been lured away to the LIV Golf Series

Woods and McIlroy arranged an informal meeting of players to discuss countering LIV Golf during last month’s J.P. McManus Pro-Am at Adare Manor in Ireland before the follow-up meeting this week. 

Woods took off from Stuart, Florida Tuesday lunchtime with Rickie Fowler and two hours later had landed on the east coast, just a half an hour drive from Wilmington, Delaware, where the BMW Championship was played this week.

The meeting lasted 3.5 hours and was described as ‘good’ by one player, as reported by ESPN. 

The duo have been working on the project for more than two years and have become closer

The duo have been working on the project for more than two years and have become closer

Woods is pictured leaving the meeting of PGA Tour golfers on Tuesday evening

Woods was a vocal leader in the meeting

The 15-time Major winner is pictured leaving the meeting of PGA Tour golfers on Tuesday

The idea was pitched to their peers as a long-term opportunity for players to build equity in the enterprise, which will have private funding in addition to corporate partnerships and sponsors. 

The proposal was said to be received well by the 22 stars who attended the meeting and the plan, along with other suggestions discussed, have been passed onto Monahan. 

The PGA Tour chief is believed to already be on board with the new events with the details on the format, potential participants, the experiential elements and the planned location of the events thought to be announced by Monahan at East Lake. 

The world's top golfers met at the five-star Hotel du Pont to assemble a plan of action

The world’s top golfers met at the five-star Hotel du Pont to assemble a plan of action

Woods' private jet, pictured in 2010, which flew him from Florida to Philadelphia on Tuesday

Woods’ private jet, pictured in 2010, which flew him from Florida to Philadelphia on Tuesday

Woods drove away from the Hotel du Pont after acting as an 'alpha' in the fight against LIV Golf

Woods drove away from the Hotel du Pont after acting as an ‘alpha’ in the fight against LIV Golf

Monahan is scheduled to hold a press conference on Tuesday ahead of the Tour Championship but a PGA Tour spokesperson declined to comment on what he may discuss, according to Golfweek. 

Following, Tuesday’s meeting McIlroy hailed Woods as the ‘alpha’ of the group, revealing the 46-year-old made himself heard with a hands-on approach to finding ‘actionable steps’ to secure the Tour’s future.

‘We’re all great players but we’re not Tiger Woods,’ the Northern Irishman said on Wednesday. ‘He is the hero that we’ve all looked up to and his voice carries further than anyone else’s in the game of golf. His role is navigating us to a place where we all think we should be.

‘I think it’s pretty apparent that whenever we all get in the room there’s an alpha in there and it’s not me. He cares a lot.’

The Northern Irishman hailed Woods for his role in leading the PGA Tour players' meeting

The Northern Irishman hailed Woods for his role in leading the PGA Tour players’ meeting

Woods acted as 'the alpha' in the meeting of the world's top players, according to McIlroy

Woods acted as ‘the alpha’ in the meeting of the world’s top players, according to McIlroy

McIlroy and his colleagues have kept tight-lipped about what was agreed in the meeting but it is understood the Tour’s top players agreed on trying to find ways to face each other more often – while avoiding LIV Golf rivals outside of majors.

Xander Schauffele, ranked sixth in the world, said there was ‘new’ and ‘fresh’ ideas raised at the meeting. 

And Woods was at the center of the bid for unity among those who have not defected to LIV Golf.

Of Woods’ contribution, McIlroy added: ‘It shows how much he cares about the tour, it shows how much he cares about the players that are coming through and are going to be the next generation.

‘He’s carried the tour for a long, long time. Players that were his contemporaries, we’ve all benefited from that.’

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More rail strikes set on busy day for sport and big events

More rail strikes set on busy day for sport and big events

Two of the nine companies where staff will walk out serve the West Midlands.

It leads to the prospect of another day of reduced services, with some areas not being served at all.

Industry leaders said the 24-hour walkout by members of the Aslef union next Saturday, August 13, coincides with another busy weekend of football. Other big regional events attracting people from outside the region include Shrewsbury Flower Show and the open day for the University of Wolverhampton.

Timetables will be published on Tuesday, but passengers are being advised to follow the latest travel advice, check before they set off and allow extra time for their journey.

Other companies not involved in the strike will be running trains, but these are expected to be busy.

The strikes will affect Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Trains, Crosscountry, Arriva Rail London, Greater Anglia including Stansted Express, Great Western, Hull Trains, LNER, London Overground and Southeastern.

Passengers are advised to consider starting journeys later, on Sunday, August 14. Those with advance, off-peak or anytime tickets affected by the strike can use their ticket either on the day before the date on the ticket, or up to and including Tuesday, August 16, or can change their tickets to travel on an alternate date, or get a refund if their train is cancelled or rescheduled.

Steve Montgomery, chairman of the Rail Delivery Group, said: “We’re really disappointed that the Aslef leadership has, for the second time in as many weeks, decided to impose yet more uncertainty for passengers and businesses by disrupting passengers’ weekend plans.

“I will reiterate what I’ve previously said – I am ready and willing to talk to the leadership of Aslef today, tomorrow or indeed any time next week. They should call off next week’s action and talk to us instead. What our passengers and our staff expect is for us to talk and work out a way through this.

“While we will do all that we can to minimise disruption and to get passengers where they need to be, if you are going to travel on the routes affected, please plan ahead and check the latest travel advice.

“Like any service or business, things do not just stand still and we must move with the times. We want to give our people a pay rise as we know everyone is feeling the pinch due to the cost-of-living rises.

“We have to find the money somewhere as we cannot continue to ask taxpayers or passengers for more, so we must modernise and adapt to changes in passenger behaviour.

“By making these necessary reforms, such as ending the reliance on volunteer working at weekend, we improve punctuality, have more resilient Sunday services, and use those savings to give our people a pay rise, which has always been what we want to do.

“Further strikes will see our people out of pocket and mean less money to fund a pay rise, so we urge the Aslef leadership to come and talk to us so we can reach a deal that is fair to staff and taxpayers, and which secures a bright, long-term future for our railway.”

More action is planned by the RMT union, the Transport Salaried Staffs Association and Unite for August 18 and 20.

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EVENTS GUIDE: July 26-Aug. 1

EVENTS GUIDE: July 26-Aug. 1

Tuesday, July 26

• Open Mic Night hosted by Tristan Telle, Barley Mill Pub & Sports Bistro, 7:30 p.m.

• Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 40, auxiliary meeting, 10:30 a.m.

• Now showing at the Penticton Art Gallery: “Lasting Impressions” by Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528), Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (1606-1669), and William Hogarth (1697-1764); “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words” Art and Activism: Contemporary printmaking from Oaxaca, Mexico; and “Southern Cross,” Laurence Evelyn Hyde (1914-1987), gallery open Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Open bike days at Penticton Safety Village, 1:30-4:30 p.m., ride around the village, learn more about bike safety, helmets and parental waivers required

• Penticton Seniors Drop-In Centre, new line dance level 1, 9 a.m., Tuesday lunch special, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.., improver line dance, 1 p.m..

• Now showing at the Penticton Museum, “Made Right Here: Penticton’s Built Heritage.” This exhibit showcases Penticton’s distinctive heritage properties and how they have contributed to our city’s unique history and character, Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 785 Main Street, by donation

• Penticton Public Sculpture exhibit, eight pieces of public art are now on display on Lakeshore Drive, outside City Hall and at the Vancouver Hill roundabout

• Yoga in the Garden at Linden Gardens in Kaleden, 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday evenings, $17 drop-in or to register for classes: skahaflow.com

• The Grist Mill and Gardens in Keremeos is now open for the season, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. daily, $15 (adults), $10 (students and seniors), $30 for the family, season passes available for $45, for more details: oldgristmill.ca

• LocoLanding Adventure Park now open daily for the season, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

• Coyotes Cruises, float the River Channel, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., launch at 215 Riverside Drive, open daily

• Cascades Casino Penticton daily, 10 a.m. – midnight; 10 a.m.-2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays

• Penticton Lawn Bowling Club, open bowling at 260 Brunswick Street, 9:30 a.m., $10 drop-in fee ($5 for students), everyone is welcome

• Hoodoo Adventures open daily: bikes, kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards, climbing gym, visit: hoodooadventures.ca

• Now playing at Landmark Cinemas 7: “Minions: The Rise of Gru” (rated G, 87 minutes); “Elvis,” (PG, 159 minutes); “Top Gun: Maverick,” (PG, 131 minutes), “Thor: Love and Thunder,” (PG, 120 minutes);  “Where the Crawdads Sing,” (PG, 125 minutes); “Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank,” (G, 103 minutes); “Nope,” (PG, 131 minutes); For tickets: landmarkcinemas.com

Wednesday, July 27

• Summerland Community Arts Council presents: Music in the Park, featuring Rollin’ Coal, Memorial Park in Summerland, 6:30 p.m.

• Made of Clay: Penticton Potters’ Exhibition at Penticton Arts Council, 220 Manor Park Ave., Wednesday through Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., by donation

• Penticton Lawn Bowling Club, open bowling at 260 Brunswick Street, 6:30 p.m., $10 drop-in fee ($5 for students)

• Penticton Seniors Drop-In Centre,new line dance 2, 10:15 a.m., new line dance 3 and 4, 1:10 p.m..

• Naramata Farmers Market, Manitou Park in Naramata, 4-7 p.m.

• Open bike days at Penticton Safety Village, 4-7 p.m., ride around the village, learn more about bike safety, helmets and parental waivers required

• Hot Rockin’ Bingo at Slackwater Brewing, 7 p.m.

• Now playing at the Oliver Theatre:  “Lightyear,” shows Wednesday and Thursday at 2 and 7 p.m.

Thursday, July 28

• Opening day: “She Lives in the Mountains” featuring the works of painter Diane Walters, presented by Summerland Community Arts Council, 9525 Wharton Street, Summerland, artist talk at 2 p.m.

• The Blueshounds at Oliver’s Music in the Park, Oliver community bandshell, 6:30-8 p.m., 6359 Park Drive, by donation

• Outdoor Movie on the Barley Mill patio, “Bohemian Rhapsody,” 9:30 p.m., by $10 donation to BGC Canada, full menu, beverages and popcorn available

• Live@Time, featuring Kailee McGuire, Time Winery, 6:30 p.m., no cover charge

• Open Mic at Clancy’s Pub and Grill, 6:30 p.m., ages 19 and over

• Penticton Seniors Drop-In Centre, Spanish conversations, 10:30 a.m.., bingo

1 p.m., improver line dance, 1 p.m.

• Final week: “Off the Grid,” by John Spurway, presented by The Many Hats Theatre Co., The Cannery Stage, 8 p.m., $28 (adults, includes GST), $25 (seniors-students), for tickets: manyhatstheatre.com

• Penticton Lawn Bowling Club, open bowling at 260 Brunswick Street, 9:30 a.m., $10 drop-in fee ($5 for students)

• Tacos and Trivia on Thirst Days, 7-9 p.m. at The Barley Mill Brew Pub

• Guitarist Jeff Piattelli live in the Badlands at Bad Tattoo Brewing, 6:30 p.m.

• Learn about our city’s history, visit the SS Sicamous Maritime Museum, open Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

• All aboard: Kettle Valley Railway in Summerland, scenic runs Thursdays through Mondays, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., $29 (adults), $27 (seniors), $24 (youth), $19 (kids 3-12), visit: kettlevalleyrailway.org

Friday, July 29

• Downtown Penticton Association presents Music in the Park with Giuseppe Veltri, 8-10 p.m., Gyro Park bandshell

• Joe’s Garage, from Vancouver, performs on The Barking Parrot’s patio, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

• Bill Lynch Trio at The Dream Cafe, 8 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m., $20, for tickets visit: thedreamcafe.ca

• “Off the Grid,” by John Spurway, presented by The Many Hats Theatre Co., The Cannery Stage, 8 p.m., starring Jamie Eberle, Melissa Kuse and Martin Pedersen, for tickets:manyhatstheatre.com

• Gordy Manness Memorial Invitational at Penticton Speedway featuring street stock invitational, late models and hornets, spectator gates open at 6 p.m., racing begins at 7 p.m. (Sarah Cornett-Ching is expected to participate)

• Marin Patenaude in concert at The Grist Mill Gardens in Keremeos, 7 p.m., tickets are $20, visit: oldgristmill.ca

• Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 40, fish and chips, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., karaoke with your host “Candie,” 7:30 p.m.

• Fraternal Order of Eagles, Friday night dinner, 5-7 p.m.

• Penticton Senior’s Drop-In Centre: Tai Chi, 10 a.m., birthday club, 1 p.m., intermediate/ advanced line dance, 1 p.m.

• Penticton Lawn Bowling Club, open bowling at 260 Brunswick Street, 6:30 p.m., $10 drop-in fee ($5 for students), everyone is welcome

• Karaoke Friday Nights at Howling Coyote Pub, 6341 Main Street, Oliver, beginning at 8 p.m.

• Yoga in the Garden at Linden Gardens in Kaleden, 9:30-10:45 a.m. on Friday mornings, $17 drop-in or to register for classes: skahaflow.com

Saturday, July 30

• Gordy Manness Memorial Invitational at Penticton Speedway featuring street stock invitational, late models and hornets, spectator gates open at 6 p.m., racing begins at 7 p.m. (Sarah Cornett-Ching is expected to participate)

• OK Dope prevents Live Stand-Up Comedy with Dan Duvall, featuring Nash Parker, Highway 97 Brewing Co., 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m, $20

• Slackwater Sessions live music presents TruckVanCar (formerly Tim Hurley Trio), 8 p.m. at Slackwater Brewery

• Canadian punk legends D.O.A. in concert, with opening acts High Horse and Ruiner, music begins at 6 p.m., $25, for tickets: firehallbrewery.com

• Joe’s Garage, from Vancouver, performs on The Barking Parrot’s patio, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

• Penticton Lawn Bowling Club, open bowling at 260 Brunswick Street, 9:30 a.m., $10 drop-in fee ($5 for students)

• Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 40, meat draw, 2 p.m.

• Fresh BC Talent presents live performers ages 9-18, Blenz Coffee on Main St., 10 a.m.-1 p.m., visit: freshbctalentquest.ca

• Penticton Farmer’s Market, 100 block of Main Street, 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. and Downtown Penticton community market, 200 block of Main Street, 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

• Fraternal Order of Eagles burgers, noon-4 p.m., Eagle races, 4 p.m.

• Charity bottle drive, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at IGA in Summerland and Penticton in support of C-DART animal organization, BC-SPCA and Penticton Regional Hospital

• Karaoke at The Barley Mill Pub, 8:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.

• Summerland Estate Winery B&B, Summer Concert series with Shalisa, for tickets: summerlandwinery.ca

• Penticton Elks Lodge, drop-in cribbage, 10 a.m., meat draw, 4 p.m., BBQ burgers, fries, onion rings, 5:30 p.m., live music with Roland Allen, 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 31

• Juno-nominated neo-folk group Aerialists at The Dream Café, 8 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m., for tickets: thedreamcafe.ca

• Broke Down Trucks at Covert Farms Family Estate in Oliver, 1-5 p.m.

• Summerland Rotary Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Main Street

• The Darylelectones perform at Cannery Brewing Co, 5-7 p.m.

• Fraternal Order of Eagles, meat draw, 4 p.m.

• Penticton Elks Lodge breakfast, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Grimms meat draw, 2 p.m.

• Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 40, drop-in cribbage and darts, 1 p.m.

• Penticton Lawn Bowling Club, open bowling at 260 Brunswick Street, 9:30 a.m., $10 drop-in fee ($5 for students)

• BC-SPCA South Okanagan Similkameen Flea Market, 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. at 1550 Main Street in front of the Wholesale Club

• Survivorship Flea Market, 1397 Fairview Rd.(N.W. corner of Fairview and Duncan, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.,, all proceeds to local dragonboat team and breast cancer awareness

• Fraternal Order of Eagles, Sunday afternoon meat draw, 4 p.m.

• Rotary Club of Penticton charity meat draw supporting Pathways Addictions Centre, multiple chances to win, 1:30-3 p.m. at Barley Mill Brew Pub

• Summerland Estate Winery B&B, Summer Concert series with Double Sharp, for tickets: summerlandwinery.ca

Monday, Aug. 1

• BC Day at Gyro Park in Penticton yoga with Starlit Yoga, 10 a.m., Josh Smith, 11 a.m., piper, 11:55 a.m., Okanagan song with Serenity Baptiste, noon, Liz Trible, 12:05 p.m., Gord McLaren, 1 p.m., Jack and Jill, 2 p.m., En Karma, 3 p.m.

For inclusion in this feature please email: editor@pentictonherald.ca

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PDC to expand Women’s Series to 24 events in 2023; Women’s World Matchplay will be staged again

PDC to expand Women's Series to 24 events in 2023; Women's World Matchplay will be staged again

Prize money of 145,000 on offer during expanded Women’s Series in 2023; Women’s World Matchplay will be staged again next year; inaugural Women’s World Matchplay live on Sky Sports Action from 1pm on Sunday, with Fallon Sherrock and Lisa Ashton among the players involved

Last Updated: 23/07/22 9:12am

Fallon Sherrock is one of the eight players participating in the inaugural Women's World Matchplay in Blackpool on Sunday

Fallon Sherrock is one of the eight players participating in the inaugural Women’s World Matchplay in Blackpool on Sunday

The Professional Darts Corporation has announced that its Women’s Series will expand to 24 events for the 2023 season with £145,000 in prize money to be offered in total.

The eight-player Women’s World Matchplay – which is being staged for the first time this Sunday in Blackpool, live on Sky Sports from 1pm – will return in 2023.

Fallon Sherrock and Lisa Ashton are among the players competing at the first Women’s World Matchplay.

Qualification for that event next year will come from a 12-month Order of Merit commencing from the Women’s Series events in August 2022.

Laura Turner has the lowdown on the players who will be battling it out at the inaugural Women's World Matchplay on Sunday, live on Sky Sports

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Laura Turner has the lowdown on the players who will be battling it out at the inaugural Women’s World Matchplay on Sunday, live on Sky Sports

Laura Turner has the lowdown on the players who will be battling it out at the inaugural Women’s World Matchplay on Sunday, live on Sky Sports

Live Women’s World Matchplay Darts

July 24, 2022, 1:00pm

Live on

The Order of Merit will include eight tournaments across the remaining two Women’s Series weekends of 2022 as well as an expected 12 events in the first half of 2023.

Twenty-four Women’s Series events will be held across six weekends next year. Each tournament is worth £5,000 in prize money.

PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter said: “We’ve been hugely encouraged by the increased interest in the PDC Women’s Series this year, with entries up by 50 percent to 100 on average, and there’s a lot of excitement ahead of the Betfred Women’s World Matchplay on Sunday.

“The Women’s World Matchplay will feature a great mix of experienced players and emerging faces, and it’s going to be fascinating to see them on stage at the Winter Gardens challenging for that title.

“With players also competing in the Cazoo Grand Slam of Darts and Cazoo World Championship, the opportunities for women within the PDC have never been greater and it’s a boost that we can continue to grow this aspect of the sport in 2023.”

Sherrock (left) plays Katie Sheldon in this Sunday's quarter-finals, with Lisa Ashton (right) to open up against Chloe O'Brien

Sherrock (left) plays Katie Sheldon in this Sunday’s quarter-finals, with Lisa Ashton (right) to open up against Chloe O’Brien

The Women’s Series will continue with events 13-16 in Hildesheim, Germany on August 27-28 ahead of the year’s final weekend in Wigan on October 29-30 with events 17-20.

2022 Women’s World Matchplay
Sunday July 24
Draw Bracket
(1) Lisa Ashton v (8) Chloe O’Brien
(4) Aileen de Graaf v (5) Laura Turner
(2) Fallon Sherrock v (7) Katie Sheldon
(3) Lorraine Winstanley v (6) Rhian Griffiths

Format
Quarter-Finals – Best of seven legs
Semi-Finals – Best of nine legs
Final – Best of 11 legs

Prize Money
Winner: £10,000
Runner-Up: £5,000
Semi-Finalists: £2,500
Quarter-Finalists: £1,250
Total: £25,000

Check out daily Darts news on skysports.com/darts, our app for mobile devices and our Twitter account @skysportsdarts. Watch the inaugural Women’s World Matchplay live on Sky Sports Action from 1pm on Sunday.

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Aquatics set to have more medal events than any other sport at Paris 2024

FINA has released qualifying standards for its five disciplines set to be competed at Paris 2024 ©Getty Images

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As the world begins to emerge from the COVID crisis, insidethegames.biz would like to invite you to help us on our journey by funding our independent journalism. Your vital support would mean we can continue to report so comprehensively on the Olympic Movement and the events that shape it. It would mean we can keep our website open for everyone. Last year, nearly 25 million people read insidethegames.biz, making us by far the biggest source of independent news on what is happening in world sport. 

Every contribution, however big or small, will help maintain and improve our worldwide coverage in the year ahead. Our small and dedicated team were extremely busy last year covering the re-arranged Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, an unprecedented logistical challenge that stretched our tight resources to the limit. 

The remainder of 2022 is not going to be any less busy, or less challenging. We had the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing, where we sent a team of four reporters, and coming up are the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, the Summer World University and Asian Games in China, the World Games in Alabama and multiple World Championships. Plus, of course, there is the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Unlike many others, insidethegames.biz is available for everyone to read, regardless of what they can afford to pay. We do this because we believe that sport belongs to everybody, and everybody should be able to read information regardless of their financial situation. While others try to benefit financially from information, we are committed to sharing it with as many people as possible. The greater the number of people that can keep up to date with global events, and understand their impact, the more sport will be forced to be transparent.

Support insidethegames.biz for as little as £10 – it only takes a minute. If you can, please consider supporting us with a regular amount each month. Thank you.

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