Snooker becomes latest sport to ban transgender players from women's game

Jack Otway
Fri, 03 Apr 2026 11:12:35 +0000

The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association has introduced regulations permitting only those born biologically female to participate in women's competitions.

The announcement comes 12 months after the Supreme Court determined that biological sex should form the basis of the legal definition of a woman.

A statement appeared on the governing body's website on Friday morning, marking the conclusion of a review process that began a year ago.

The WPBSA indicated it had sought comprehensive legal guidance before reaching its decision, which follows both the landmark court ruling in April 2025 and a subsequent case involving transgender pool player Harriet Haynes and the English Blackball Federation last August.

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

Twelve-time world champion Reanne Evans voiced frustration at what she described as inadequate communication from the governing body throughout the review period.

"So women snooker players [of all levels] and their teams have been asking if a decision has been made with no reply," wrote Evans.

"Players have quit/stopped entering events because of no ruling. I was sent this tonight and no one knew about it. Why no announcement / email to let players know?"

Pool player Lynne Pinches, who declined to face transgender competitor Haynes in the 2023 Champion of Champions final, expressed delight at the outcome despite criticising the lengthy wait.

"It has taken a year & they haven't announced it but I'm absolutely over the moon," she said.

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

Pub staff speak out on World Cup matches, bringing the country together and work involved to create moments of magic

Luke Littler gives immediate reaction to explosive Gian van Veen Premier League row

Tiger Woods 'called Donald Trump after car crash' as conversations with police emerge

The governing body's statement declared that snooker now qualifies as a "gender-affected activity" under Section 195 of the Equality Act 2010, meaning participation in women's events is restricted to biological females.

"Our position has always been that the policy would be subject to immediate review should there be future ratified research findings or changes in guidance from appropriate sources," the WPBSA stated.

"These cases and the studies relied upon as evidence have changed the landscape leading to the review."

The organisation emphasised its commitment to inclusivity, confirming that open tournaments remain accessible to all competitors regardless of biological sex, legal sex or gender identity.

The policy shift aligns with a significant change announced by the International Olympic Committee last week, which confirmed that only biological females will be permitted to compete in women's events at the Olympics.

The IOC ruling takes effect from the Los Angeles Games in 2028, with eligibility to be established through a single cheek swab test conducted once in an athlete's lifetime, excluding both post-puberty males and athletes with differences of sex development from the female category.

International sports federations are now anticipated to adopt similar positions.

Haynes, whose legal challenge against the English Blackball Pool Federation was dismissed by Canterbury County Court last August, has been granted permission to appeal by Mr Justice Ritchie.