Transgender Women Barred from Competing in Female-Only Darts Tournaments

In a recent move, the Darts Regulation Authority has revised its policy, stating that only biological females will be eligible to participate in women's darts tournaments. This decision was made following an extensive review of the Trans and Gender Diverse Policy, which included a report by a developmental biologist and consideration of recent UK court rulings. As a result, transgender females, including prominent player Noa-Lynn van Leuven, will no longer be allowed to compete in women's events, but can continue to participate in open tournaments. The new Eligibility Policy and Rules will be implemented across affiliated organizations, including the PDC, starting from April 5, 2026. Van Leuven, who has won six titles on the women's tour since 2022, expressed her disappointment and concern for the transgender community, stating that this decision is 'another huge hit' for them. The DRA aims to be inclusive, encouraging all players to participate in open tournaments, and will continue to monitor developments and review the Eligibility Policy annually.