Darts Regulation Authority Bans Trans Women from Women’s Events, Forcing Noa-Lynn van Leuven into Retirement

The landscape of professional darts shifted abruptly on Friday, April 10, 2026, as the Darts Regulation Authority (DRA) announced a sweeping policy change that bars transgender women from competing in women’s events. The ruling, which takes effect immediately, has effectively ended the professional career of Noa-Lynn van Leuven, the trailblazing Dutch player who became the first openly transgender person to compete in a televised darts tournament and the PDC World Darts Championship.

The DRA, the governing body for the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), stated that trans women are no longer permitted in women-only competitions, though they remain eligible for mixed-gender events. This decision mirrors a similar move made by the World Darts Federation (WDF) in 2025, signaling a coordinated shift across the sport’s primary governing bodies to restrict category eligibility.

For van Leuven, the ruling is not merely a regulatory change but a career-ending blow. Taking to Instagram to share the news, the 29-year-old player expressed a sense of shock and betrayal, noting that she learned of the decision via email.

“I just got an email. Apparently, I just got retired. Not by choice, but because I am no longer allowed to compete,” van Leuven wrote. “I have worked so damn hard for years just to acquire here. I showed up and I competed.”

A Career of Firsts and Hard-Won Success

Noa-Lynn van Leuven’s ascent in the PDC was marked by a series of historic milestones. A right-handed player from Heemskerk, Netherlands, van Leuven entered the professional sphere in 2022, quickly proving that her presence in the game was backed by significant skill. Between 2022 and 2025, she secured six titles on the PDC Women’s Series and claimed a title on the 2024 PDC Challenge Tour.

Her trajectory peaked with her debut at the 2025 PDC World Darts Championship, where she became the first trans woman to qualify for the prestigious event. Although she lost 3–1 in sets to Kevin Doets, the appearance cemented her place in the record books. Prior to the World Championship, van Leuven had already broken barriers in 2023 by becoming the first trans woman to play in a televised PDC tournament during the Women’s World Matchplay, where she faced Beau Greaves.

Beyond the PDC, van Leuven was a formidable competitor in WDF events, reaching the semi-finals of the Dutch Open twice (2023 and 2024) and winning several titles including the Belgium Open, Denmark Open and the Malta Masters and Malta Open in 2023. She also represented the Netherlands with distinction in the WDF Europe Cup, earning medals in women’s pairs, team, and overall categories in Šamorín (2024) and Gandía (2022).

Overcoming Adversity On and Off the Oche

Van Leuven’s professional journey was often complicated by the social friction surrounding her identity. The sport saw instances of direct opposition; most notably, player Deta Hedman forfeited a quarter-final match against van Leuven in 2024, followed by another withdrawal in 2025. Reports indicated that Hedman withdrew specifically after learning the identity of her opponent.

These professional hurdles mirrored a difficult personal history. Van Leuven has spoken openly about her transition, which she began considering around the age of 16. In interviews with the PA news agency, she revealed that she suffered from depression prior to her transition, stating that she “wouldn’t be here” if she had not transitioned.

This personal resilience defined her approach to the game. In her reaction to the DRA ban, van Leuven emphasized her commitment to the integrity of the sport, stating, “I respected the sport every game and every single day. Now, with just one decision, I am being told I no longer belong.”

The Broader Impact on the Transgender Community

The DRA’s decision is being viewed by advocates and athletes as part of a wider trend of exclusion in professional sports. For van Leuven, the ruling transcends her own loss of livelihood.

“This isn’t just about me; We see another huge hit for the trans community,” she posted on Instagram.

The move by the DRA and the previous 2025 ruling by the WDF create a nearly total barrier for trans women seeking to compete in the women’s category of professional darts. Whereas the DRA has noted that mixed-gender competitions remain an option, the loss of access to women’s series and championships removes the primary pathway for female-identifying trans athletes to earn titles, rankings, and visibility within the sport.

Career Summary: Noa-Lynn van Leuven

As a senior journalist who has covered the intersection of regulation and athletics across the Olympics and FIFA World Cup, I have seen governing bodies struggle to balance fairness with inclusivity. However, the “immediate effect” nature of the DRA ruling leaves little room for transition or appeal for the athletes affected.

The darts community now faces a period of introspection regarding the definition of “women’s sports” and the cost of these exclusionary policies on athletes who have spent years climbing the rankings. For Noa-Lynn van Leuven, the climb has been halted not by a loss of form or a missed double, but by a stroke of a pen in a boardroom.

The next confirmed checkpoint will be the official response from the PDC regarding the implementation of the DRA’s rules and whether any appeals process exists for athletes forced into retirement. We will continue to monitor this story as it develops.

Do you believe governing bodies should prioritize biological markers or gender identity in professional sports? Share your thoughts in the comments below.