Mahjong Surges in the United States: Yelp Searches for Mahjong Clubs Jump 4,467% Year Over Year, Lesson Searches Up 819%
Mahjong, the tile game that originated in China, is enjoying a surge of popularity in the United States. Review platform Yelp named mahjong a top trend of 2026: searches for "mahjong clubs" on the platform jumped 4,467% year over year, while searches for "mahjong lessons" climbed 819%. Mahjong events listed on Eventbrite rose 179% in a single year, and industry analysts project the global mahjong market will grow to roughly $3 billion by 2035.
In cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, mahjong clubs, lessons, and community game nights keep appearing, drawing many younger players. Many newcomers pick up the tiles for the first time at a social gathering and settle into a weekly game; businesses have also launched mahjong-themed events and products. Observers say the boom reflects both the game's appeal and a renewed appetite for face-to-face socializing.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 麻将牌（资料图）。图片：Cangj，CC BY-SA 4.0，经Wikimedia Commons。 / Mahjong tiles (file photo). Photo: Cangj, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
