Trans Women Barred from Competing in Female Darts Tournaments

The Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) has announced that only athletes assigned female at birth will be eligible to participate in women's darts competitions. This decision follows a comprehensive review of its Trans and Gender Diverse Policy, which included expert input from a developmental biologist and consideration of recent UK court rulings. According to the DRA, this move aims to ensure fair competition in the sport. The new Eligibility Policy and Rules will apply to all affiliated organizations, including the PDC, starting from April 5, 2026. Transgender players will still be allowed to compete in open tournaments. Noa-Lynn van Leuven, a prominent transgender darts player, has expressed strong criticism of the decision, describing it as a significant setback for the trans community. The DRA has stated that it will continue to monitor developments in transgender participation in sports and review its Eligibility Policy annually.