Ban on Transgender Females in Women's Darts Competitions Announced

The Darts Regulation Authority has made a significant announcement, stating that only individuals assigned female at birth will be eligible to participate in women's darts tournaments. This decision follows a thorough review of the organization's Trans and Gender Diverse Policy, which included a report from a developmental biologist and took into account extensive legal advice and recent UK court rulings. As a result, the DRA has introduced a new Eligibility Policy and Rules for open and women's tournaments, effective April 5, 2026. The policy change has been met with criticism from Noa-Lynn van Leuven, a prominent transgender darts player, who expressed her disappointment and described the decision 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 compete in open tournaments, regardless of their biological sex, legal sex, or gender identity. The organization will continue to monitor developments in transgender participation in sports and review its Eligibility Policy annually.