Transgender Women Barred from Competing in Female Darts Tournaments

The Darts Regulation Authority has announced a significant change to its eligibility criteria, stating that only individuals assigned female at birth will be permitted to participate in women's darts tournaments. This decision follows an extensive review of the organization's Trans and Gender Diverse Policy, which included input from an academic developmental biologist and consideration of recent UK court rulings. As a result, the DRA has replaced its existing policy with a new Eligibility Policy and Rules for open and women's tournaments, effective April 5, 2026. The move has been met with criticism from Noa-Lynn van Leuven, a prominent transgender darts player who has won six titles on the women's tour since joining in 2022. Van Leuven expressed her disappointment and frustration, describing the decision as a major setback for the trans community. Despite this, the DRA has emphasized its commitment to inclusivity, noting that all players, regardless of their biological sex, legal sex, or gender identity, are welcome to compete in open tournaments. The organization will continue to monitor developments related to transgender participation in sports and review its Eligibility Policy annually.