Transgender Women Barred from Competing in Female Darts Tournaments

The Darts Regulation Authority has announced a significant change to its policies, stating that only individuals assigned female at birth will be eligible to participate in women's darts tournaments. This decision follows a comprehensive review of the authority's Trans and Gender Diverse Policy, which included a report by a developmental biologist and consideration of extensive legal advice and recent UK court rulings. As a result, the DRA has replaced its Trans and Gender Diverse Policy with an Eligibility Policy and Rules for open and women's tournaments, effective April 5, 2026. Noa-Lynn van Leuven, a prominent transgender darts player, has expressed her disappointment and frustration with the decision, describing it as a significant setback for the trans community. Van Leuven, who has won six titles on the women's tour since joining in 2022, will no longer be able to compete in women's events but can continue to participate in open tournaments. The DRA has emphasized its commitment to inclusivity, encouraging all players to participate in open tournaments regardless of their biological sex, legal sex, or gender identity. The authority will continue to monitor developments in transgender participation in sports and review its Eligibility Policy annually.