Noa-Lynn van Leuven to compete in men’s field at 2025 WDF World Masters after rule change

Noa-Lynn van Leuven will compete in the men’s (now officially open) category at this year’s WDF World Masters, following a controversial eligibility rule change from the World Darts Federation.

The WDF recently confirmed that only players assigned female at birth will be allowed to compete in the women’s tournament moving forward, meaning van Leuven, a transgender woman, has been moved into the men’s field. As a result, the men’s competition has now been designated as open to all genders.

The 2025 WDF World Masters will take place in Budapest from 29 October to 1 November, with a packed international field set to descend on the Hungarian capital for one of the oldest and most prestigious events in the sport. The tournament remains open to WDF title winners, as well as former World Masters and BDO/WDF World Champions.

While dozens of players have earned their spots through strong performances across the WDF season, much of the attention will fall on several high-profile names returning to the World Masters stage. Among them are Jeff Smith, the former PDC Tour Card holder and Lakeside finalist, and Paul Hogan, long regarded as one of the most dangerous players outside the professional circuit. Scott Waites, a two-time BDO World Champion, is also set to compete, alongside David Pallett, who made his name on the PDC ProTour before moving back into WDF competition.

International interest will also be bolstered by appearances from Leonard Gates, a soft-tip star with PDC stage experience; Neil Duff, the reigning WDF World Champion; and Paul Lim, the legendary Singaporean best known for throwing the first ever nine-darter at a World Championship back in 1990. Former World Champion Tony David also features among the confirmed entrants.

While many greats are eligible due to past achievements, including the likes of Phil Taylor, John Part, Glen Durrant, Bob Anderson, John Lowe, Dennis Priestley, Martin Adams, Steve Beaton, Mervyn King, Rod Harrington, Richie Burnett and Mark Webster, few—if any—of them are expected to actually take part.

Beau Greaves Headlines the Women’s Event

In the women’s field, Beau Greaves returns to defend her title and enters as the heavy favourite, having dominated the WDF circuit over the past two years. She’ll be challenged by a strong group of international contenders including the vastly experienced Deta Hedman, as well as Scotland’s Lorraine Hyde and Finland’s Kirsi Viinikainen, who have both shown consistency at WDF level.

The youth tournaments will once again feature the sport’s brightest young talents across both boys’ and girls’ competitions. Defending boys’ champion Lex Paeshuyse is set to return, while among the girls’ field, players like Phoebe Vermeulen will be hoping to make their mark on one of the biggest stages available to youth players in the game.

Last year’s men’s champion, Wesley Plaisier, will not return to defend his title, having since moved on to compete on the PDC circuit. That leaves the men’s title wide open, while Greaves will look to make it back-to-back wins in the women’s event and further underline her status as the top female player outside the PDC.

List of seeded players for WDF World Masters

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