World Darts Federation bans male transgender athletes from women’s competitions

The World Darts Federation (WDF) has updated its transgender participation policy to prevent biological males from competing in the women and girls categories.

Additionally, females currently undergoing hormone treatment to identify as male cannot compete in those categories.

The decision follows a vote taken at the WDF general membership meeting, according to Darts News. Most of the federation’s member countries supported the change, which took effect July 28.

“Transgender participation in darts is a complex, evolving subject, and our position has always been that if there was a material change in scientific studies, law, or the wishes of a majority of the WDF’s Member Countries that we would review the policy and make changes where necessary,” the federation said in a statement.

The WDF now has four competition categories: Open, Women, Open Youth and Girls.

The Women and Girls categories are open only to biological females who are not undergoing hormone treatment to identify as male.

Biological males identifying as transgender can still enter the Open and Open Youth tournaments. 

“We understand these changes may be challenging for people who want to compete in darts in the gender which they are now registered as,” WDF’s statement said. “The WDF has directly contacted its Member Countries so as they can discuss these changes with affected players directly.”

The change comes after growing controversy in international darts over male transgender-identifying athletes entering the women’s category.

Dutch player Noa-Lynn van Leuven, a male competing in the women’s division, has been at the center of criticism from some fans and athletes. Earlier this month, protestors were removed from the Women’s World Matchplay ahead of a match involving van Leuven, who has won six Professional Darts Corporation women’s series titles. 

In its announcement, the WDF said the new rules will “create a sporting environment in which everyone can continue to play darts without fear of discrimination or exclusion.”

Currently, over 30 U.S. states restrict males from competing in women’s sports.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order earlier this year directing federal agencies to withhold funding from states allowing the practice.

Since then, several states – including Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada and Nebraska – have barred trans-identifying males from competing against women. The NCAA, the largest college sports governing body in the country, also followed suit. 

A January 2025 New York Times poll found 79% of Americans oppose males trans athletes competing in girls’ sports; only 18% support it.