Trans Women Barred from Competing in Female Darts Tournaments

The Darts Regulation Authority has announced a significant change to its policy, stating that only biological females will be eligible to participate in women's darts tournaments. This decision follows a thorough review of the authority's Trans and Gender Diverse Policy, which included input from an academic developmental biologist and consideration of extensive legal advice and recent UK court rulings. As a result, the DRA has implemented an Eligibility Policy and Rules for open and women's tournaments, effective April 5, 2026. Notably, transgender players will still be allowed to compete in open tournaments. The first transgender woman to compete in the World Championships, Noa-Lynn van Leuven, has expressed strong criticism of the decision, labeling it as 'another huge hit for the trans community.' Van Leuven, a 29-year-old with six titles on the women's tour since 2022, emphasized that the change is not just about her but affects the broader trans community, making it increasingly difficult for them to participate in sports.