The Darts Regulation Authority has introduced a new rule that immediately bans transgender women from competing in women’s darts tournaments.

The authority, which regulates many professional darts events, made the decision after a detailed review of its policy on transgender and gender-diverse players. Under the updated rules, only biological females are now allowed to take part in women’s competitions.

The Darts Regulation Authority carried out the review starting in 2025. It looked at legal advice and scientific studies before reaching its conclusion. The organisation said it wants to remain inclusive but believes the change is needed to ensure fairness in the sport. It added that small physical differences between males and females can add up and give an advantage in darts.

Transgender women are still free to compete in open events that are not divided by gender. However, they can no longer enter women’s-only tournaments. One player affected by the ban is Noa-Lynn van Leuven from the Netherlands. She became the first transgender woman to play in the PDC World Championship in 2024.

After hearing the news, she said the decision had effectively ended her career in women’s darts.

The move follows a similar ban by the World Darts Federation last year. Many other sports are also reviewing their rules on transgender participation to protect fairness for female athletes. The Darts Regulation Authority hopes the new policy will create equal opportunities while keeping the sport open to everyone in mixed or open categories.

This development has sparked fresh debate about inclusion and fairness in sports. Some people support the ban as a way to protect women’s competitions, while others worry about its effect on transgender athletes.

The decision reflects a growing trend among sports bodies to base eligibility on biological sex in women’s events.