Matt Porter says PDC will “stick with current policy” on trans women in darts, despite Supreme Court ruling prompting rule changes across sporting world

The inclusion of trans women in darts has long been a sensitive topic — one brought further into the spotlight by the rise of Noa-Lynn van Leuven as a standout on the PDC Women's Series. While a recent Supreme Court ruling is prompting changes across the sporting world, PDC chief executive Matt Porter says darts is unlikely to follow suit.

Just today (May 1st, 2025), football's governing body in England - the FA - has confirmed that transgender athletes will no longer be allowed to compete in women's football. "This is a complex subject, and our position has always been that if there was a material change in law, science, or the operation of the policy in grassroots football then we would review it and change it if necessary," the FA explained of their rule changes in a press release. "The Supreme Court’s ruling on the 16 April means that we will be changing our policy. Transgender women will no longer be able to play in women’s football in England, and this policy will be implemented from 1 June 2025."

In conversation with Online Darts, PDC boss Matt Porter was asked about the Supreme Court's recent judgement and whether or not darts will follow suit with the likes of football in changing their current rules on inclusion. As mentioned, the CEO is holding firm at this point in time.

"It's something we're aware of. It's not something where there's going to be changes because of that," explains Porter honestly. "There haven't been directives passed down in law, or by regulatory bodies to sports organisations to make changes. As and when that happens, we'll follow those, but at the moment we're able to stick with our current policy and we're comfortable with that."

"There's been no communications, no legal directives or legislatory changes or anything," he insists in conclusion.