Darts sensation Beau Greaves, at just 22, stands at the precipice of a defining 2026 season. Following an early exit from the World Championships, she’s poised to tackle a packed schedule, aiming for a historic PDC European Tour qualification while continuing her unparalleled dominance on the Women’s Series. With her sights set on major tournaments like the Grand Slam and World Championships, Greaves faces immense pressure and increasing public scrutiny, making her strategic management of events crucial for a potential breakthrough year.
The 2026 darts season presents a pivotal challenge for Beau Greaves, as the young talent faces immediate pressure to secure a spot within the PDC’s top 64 rankings. Her strategic approach to the year’s calendar will be fascinating to observe.
Eligibility and Early Season Prospects
At 22 years old, Greaves maintains eligibility for both the PDC Development Tour and the Women’s Series. However, having secured her PDC Tour Card, she is no longer eligible for the Challenge Tour, a significant shift from her 2025 season.
Her first-round exit at the recent World Championships, while disappointing, has afforded her valuable time to regroup and meticulously plan her 2026 schedule. An immediate goal will likely be to qualify for the World Masters in late January. Given her extensive experience with set play from her successful WDF career, a qualification here would not be entirely surprising, showcasing her adaptability to different formats.
Dominance on the Women’s Series and European Ambitions
February marks the commencement of the Women’s Series, a circuit where Greaves has established an unprecedented winning streak of 86 matches, claiming the last 13 titles. The initial events are slated for Germany on February 7th-8th, swiftly followed by the first ProTour events and a European Tour qualification opportunity at the same venue on February 11th. It’s highly anticipated that Greaves will participate in all five of these early-season events, laying down an early marker for the year.
A significant milestone on the horizon is the potential to become the first woman to compete on the PDC European Tour. Considering her remarkable achievements to date, it seems almost inevitable that she will qualify for at least one of the 14 European Tour events scheduled for 2026. This would be a groundbreaking moment for women’s darts and a testament to her exceptional talent.
Navigating a Packed Schedule and Major Aspirations
The remainder of Greaves’ 2026 schedule will largely be dictated by her results. It’s expected she will commit to most of the Women’s Series and Development Tour events, alongside a significant number of ProTour competitions. Her strong track record in “floor events” (non-televised tournaments) suggests she will perform well, crucial for accumulating ranking points.
Success in these events is vital for her to qualify for prestigious tournaments such as the Players Championship Finals and, ultimately, the World Championships. While qualifying for the Matchplay and the Grand Prix might seem like a more distant prospect, it’s certainly not beyond her reach.
A particularly promising opportunity lies with the Grand Slam of Darts, which has expanded to feature 48 players (up from 32). This increase significantly boosts her chances of qualification, though the specific routes are yet to be announced. Greaves has a history of shrewd schedule management, often opting out of events when necessary to maintain her performance and well-being. This strategic approach will be more critical than ever as she navigates increased media attention and public scrutiny. Her ability to manage these external pressures will be as important as her form on the oche in shaping her 2026 season.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.