Transgender Women Barred from Competing in Female Darts Tournaments

The Darts Regulation Authority has announced that only individuals assigned female at birth will be eligible to participate in women's darts competitions. This decision follows a thorough review of its Trans and Gender Diverse Policy, which included expert input from a developmental biologist and consideration of recent UK court rulings. As a result, the DRA has adopted a new Eligibility Policy and Rules, effective April 5, 2026, which will govern open and women's tournaments across affiliated organizations, including the PDC. The first transgender woman to compete in the World Championships, Noa-Lynn van Leuven, has expressed strong criticism of the decision, describing it as a significant setback for the trans community. Van Leuven, a 29-year-old who has won six titles on the women's tour since joining in 2022, will no longer be allowed 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 participate 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. A report commissioned by the DRA in 2025 found that darts is a 'gender-affected sport' and identified multiple physical differences that contribute to superior scoring among male players. Van Leuven has spoken out against the policy change, stating that it has effectively forced her into retirement and expressing concern about the impact on the trans community.