Transgender Women Barred from Competing in Female Darts Tournaments

The Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) has announced a significant change in its policy, stating that only biological females will be eligible to participate in women's darts tournaments. This decision was made after a thorough review of the organization's Trans and Gender Diverse Policy, which included a report by a developmental biologist and consideration of extensive legal advice and recent UK court rulings. As a result, the DRA has replaced its previous policy with a new Eligibility Policy and Rules for open and women's tournaments, effective April 5, 2026. The decision 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, stating that the decision is 'another huge hit for the trans community.' Despite this, the DRA has emphasized its commitment to inclusivity, allowing 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.