The Darts Regulatory Authority (DRA) has announced that only players assigned female at birth will be eligible to compete in women’s tournaments.
Following the commissioning of a report by academic developmental biologists and a review of its transgender and gender diversity policy which took into account “extensive legal advice” and recent UK court decisions, the DRA said: “In order to achieve fair competition in darts, we are satisfied that only biological females will be eligible to compete in women’s tournaments regulated by DRA rules, including the PDC Women’s Series.”
Noah-Lynn van Leuven, who became the first transgender woman to compete at the 2024 World Championships, slammed the decision, calling it “another big blow to the trans community.”
The 29-year-old has won six titles on the women’s tour since joining in 2022. Transgender players will still be able to compete in open tournaments.
“Accordingly, effective April 5, 2026, DRA will replace the Transgender and Gender Diversity Policy with the Open Tournament and Women’s Tournament Eligibility Policy and Rules, which will now operate across all affiliated organizations, including the PDC,” the DRA added in a statement.
“DRA consulted with PDC and PDPA in developing this new policy and regulations.
“DRA aims to be inclusive and all players, regardless of biological sex, legal sex, and/or gender identity, are able to participate in open tournaments and are encouraged to do so.
“DRA will continue to monitor developments regarding transgender sports participation and will review eligibility policies at least annually in light of these developments.”
In a report commissioned by the DRA in 2025 as part of a review of its previous policy, Dr Emma Hilton determined that “darts is a ‘gender-sensitive sport’ within the meaning of section 195 of the Equality Act (2010).”
“This report identified multiple physical differences that, in my opinion, contribute to the superior scores of male darts players,” she wrote.
“I do not believe that individual sex differences are overwhelming in magnitude and therefore have a decisive impact on performance. Rather, multiple small magnitude sex differences add up to create a male advantage over women in darts.”
‘It seems like I just retired’ – disappointed by Van Leuven’s verdict
Van Leuven, 29, who qualified for the past two World Darts Championships through the PDC Women’s Series and reached the semi-finals of the 2025 Women’s World Matchplay, expressed regret at the change in policy in an Instagram video.
“I just got an email and it looks like he just retired,” Van Leuven said.
“It’s not by choice, but I’m not allowed to compete anymore.
“The DRA just decided that trans women will no longer be allowed to attend women’s events, which basically means I can’t attend.
“I’ve worked so hard for so many years just to get here. I’ve been out there, I’ve competed, I’ve respected this sport every game, every day. And now, with one decision, I’m being told I don’t belong anymore.”
“This is not just about me. This is another big blow to the trans community, especially after the recent decision by the IOC (International Olympic Committee).”
“For transgender people, it’s getting harder and harder every day to just exist and compete. If you think this is going to stay with me, it’s not. We just want it to be.”
