A groundbreaking rule change by the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) has declared that only “biological females” are eligible for women’s darts tournaments, sending shockwaves through the PDC. This immediate decision effectively bans Noa-Lynn van Leuven, the PDC’s sole openly transgender player, from all women’s events and removes her from current rankings. This drastic shift has not only ended her promising run towards major championships but also dramatically altered the competitive landscape of women’s darts, sparking a significant debate about fairness and inclusion in the sport.
New Rules: Defining Eligibility in Women’s Darts
The Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) recently announced a pivotal rule change, stating unequivocally that “only biological females should be eligible to compete in Women’s tournaments regulated by DRA Rules.” This declaration has profound implications, as every PDC Women’s event falls under DRA jurisdiction.
The Immediate Impact: Noa-Lynn van Leuven Banned
The most immediate and significant consequence of this new regulation is the banning of Noa-Lynn van Leuven, the PDC’s only openly transgender athlete, from the Women’s Series, effective immediately. This decision marks a monumental shake-up in PDC women’s darts, removing a prominent and successful player from the competitive circuit.
Consequences for Van Leuven:
- Removed from all future tournaments: Noa-Lynn is no longer eligible to compete in any women’s darts events governed by DRA rules.
- Stripped from current ranking ladders: Her previous achievements and standing on all PDC ranking ladders, including the crucial races for the PDC World Darts Championship and PDC Women’s World Matchplay, have been voided.
A Dream Deferred: Missing Out on Major Championships
Prior to the DRA’s announcement, Noa-Lynn van Leuven was a formidable contender, particularly in the race for the prestigious PDC Women’s World Matchplay. She was sitting 5th in the standings, making her inclusion in the year’s biggest PDC Women’s event almost certain.
Just last year, Van Leuven showcased her talent by reaching the semi-finals of the Women’s World Matchplay, only narrowly losing to eventual runner-up Fallon Sherrock. A return to the iconic Winter Gardens this year is now impossible for her.
Her place in the Women’s World Matchplay has since been passed down to the WDF Women’s World Champion, Deta Hedman. However, the competition for the remaining spots remains fierce.
The World Championship Race: A New Dynamic
The rule change has also drastically altered the qualification landscape for the PDC World Darts Championship. Van Leuven, despite being 9th in the standings before the rule change, was widely considered one of the favourites to qualify through the Women’s Series, having appeared at Alexandra Palace twice before (in 2025 and 2026).
Her ban means a new face is likely to grace the Alexandra Palace stage, especially considering she was among the historic five women who competed in the 2025-26 edition of the PDC World Darts Championship. This “early retirement” from women’s darts creates an opening for other aspiring players.
Current Frontrunners for the World Championship Spots:
With Beau Greaves likely to secure her qualification through other means, the current top contenders for the World Championship spots from the Women’s Series are:
- Lisa Ashton
- Fallon Sherrock
- Gemma Hayter
These established names have all previously performed on the Alexandra Palace stage. However, the removal of one of their direct competitors has invigorated the chase for many other talented players vying for their first-ever PDC World Darts Championship appearance.
Unprecedented Shake-Up and Ongoing Debate
The DRA’s rule changes have created an unprecedented shake-up in women’s darts. The tour has lost one of its most talented and recognizable names, leading to widespread discussion and debate within the darts community and beyond.
This story is far from over, as the implications of these rules continue to unfold, reshaping careers and challenging perceptions of sports eligibility.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Planet TV.
