Transgender Women Excluded from Women’s Darts Competitions

The Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) has introduced a rule change prohibiting transgender women from competing in its women’s events. This decision takes effect immediately, stating that only individuals with biological female characteristics should qualify for tournaments under DRA guidelines.

The policy shift follows a comprehensive evaluation of the Trans and Gender Diverse Policy, which was initiated in 2025. Noa-Lynn van Leuven, who made history in 2024 by becoming the first transgender woman to take part in the PDC World Championship, expressed disappointment. She noted the ruling effectively ended her career in women’s competitions.

“I just got an email and apparently I just got retired, not by choice but because I am no longer allowed to compete,” van Leuven stated in a video shared on Instagram. “The DRA decided that trans women are excluded from women’s events, which means I’m out.”

Van Leuven remains eligible for mixed-gender tournaments, but the new rule marks a significant shift. Sex-based rights organization Sex Matters highlighted that male physical advantages in darts—though minor—compound to create a competitive edge. They pointed out the sport’s male-dominated culture, emphasizing the need for dedicated women’s events.

The DRA cited legal guidance and a report by Dr. Emma Hilton, a developmental biologist, to justify the decision. Hilton’s findings suggest that small sex-related differences in strength and physique accumulate, favoring men in darts. The authority also stressed its commitment to inclusivity, welcoming all players regardless of their sex or gender identity into open competitions.

Context and Broader Implications

Earlier this year, the World Darts Federation (WDF) enforced a similar ban on transgender women in its women’s tournaments. The DRA’s move aligns with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) previous policy, which recently expanded to exclude transgender women and athletes with differences in sex development from the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

While the DRA aims to uphold fairness in women’s competitions, the decision has sparked debate about inclusion and equality in sports. Van Leuven’s statement underscores the personal impact of such policies, as she insists, “Everyday it is getting harder for trans people to exist, to compete. If you think this stops with me, it doesn’t. We just want to be.”