When Does the 2027 Mahjong Card Come Out?
Quick answer: The National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) has not announced an official release date for the 2027 American mahjong card yet. If recent years are a guide, orders typically open in late December or early January, and cards are mailed in late March or early April. As of mid-October 2026, the League’s site is still selling the 2026 card, so 2027 ordering has not opened.
Every spring, American mahjong tables refresh their hands when the new NMJL card arrives. Players start searching for “when does the 2027 mahjong card come out” months ahead so nobody is stuck on last year’s card while the rest of the group has switched. Below is what we know from the League’s public ordering pages and the pattern of recent years—without guessing at unpublished hands. For how to read a card once you have it, see our walkthrough on how to read the NMJL card.
When Will the 2027 NMJL Card Arrive?
The League has not published a firm ship date for the 2027 card. Looking at recent seasons gives a reliable window:
- 2023 card: orders opened around late December 2022; cards arrived in April 2023.
- 2024 card: orders opened around New Year’s Day 2024; cards arrived late March to April 2024.
- 2025 card: orders opened in December 2024; cards arrived in late March 2025.
- 2026 card: orders opened in early January 2026; cards were mailed in late March 2026 (the League noted around March 20 that cards were at the post office).
So the practical expectation for the 2027 mahjong card is the same spring window: order in winter, receive the card in late March or early April 2027. Late orders can stretch into late April or May, which is why early ordering matters.
When Can You Order the 2027 Card?
Not yet. The official path is the National Mah Jongg League:
- Online: nationalmahjonggleague.org (credit card)
- By mail: using the League’s order form / bulletin, with a check to the League’s published Newark mailing address
- Group / charity collector orders: many clubs and charities collect member orders; larger collector orders can include a League donation to a chosen charity
The League does not take card orders by phone. In some recent years it has also sold cards through its own Amazon storefront—if you buy there, confirm the seller is the National Mah Jongg League itself. Third-party “mahjong cards” that are not NMJL cards will not match the hands your table plays.
Watch the League site and its bulletins from late December 2026 into January 2027. When the 2027 order page goes live, order promptly; early orders are generally mailed first.
Why the Card Comes Out in the Spring
The League’s membership year runs from April 1 to March 31. Buying a card is how most players renew membership for that year, and the new card is timed to arrive just before the new year begins. Designing and testing the hands takes months. The League has described intensive card-committee testing from late summer into early November, so by the time players are asking about the 2027 card in the fall, that work is already underway behind the scenes.
Only the hands (and sometimes a few rules notes) change from year to year. The core game—Charleston, jokers, calling discards, building walls—stays the same. If you’re still learning the game while you wait, our beginner’s guide to American mahjong covers the flow of a full game.
How Much Does the NMJL Card Cost?
Prices for the 2027 card have not been announced. For the 2026 card, the League charged (including shipping and membership):
- Standard card (about 5⅛ × 4 inches): $14
- Large print (about 6⅛ × 4¾ inches): $15
- Mega Card (three 8½ × 11 inch panels): $35
Standard and large-print prices have been stable for several recent years; treat $14–$15 as the recent baseline until the League posts 2027 pricing. Large print and Mega Card versions carry the same hands as the standard card—they’re for readability, not different content.
Card sales support the League’s charitable work. There is no official free PDF of the card. The card is copyrighted work sold as a printed product—be wary of sites offering “early” or printable copies.
When Should Your Group Switch to the 2027 Card?
The League does not set one national start date. Common approaches:
- Switch as soon as everyone at the table has the new card
- Wait until April 1 so no one is left out
- Follow tournament or club rules when you play in organized events
Until your group agrees to switch, keep playing the 2026 card. Once you switch, last year’s hands are out of the game. Agree on the plan in March so game night doesn’t stall over mismatched cards.
What Changes on a New Card (Without Spoiling Hands)
Each year the League refreshes the listed hands. Category names often look familiar—year-themed hands, even/odd number patterns, consecutive runs, winds and dragons, singles and pairs, and similar sections—but the exact lines change, and sections can appear or disappear over the years. Nobody outside the League should claim to have the 2027 hands before the card ships. When your card arrives, use the printed lines only; do not rely on screenshots or “leaks.”
Skills that carry over every year: reading exposures, defending against likely hands, Charleston passing, and joker exchanges. Winter is a good time to practice those on the 2026 card so April feels like a refresh, not a restart.
Get Your Table Ready Before the Card Arrives
You don’t need a new set when the card changes—you need a complete American set, racks, and a clear place to play. A standard American game uses 152 tiles including 8 jokers; many retail sets ship with extras (often listed as 160 or 166 pieces). See how many tiles are in an American mahjong set for the breakdown.
A complete American mahjong tile set
The Porcelain Coast Acrylic American Mahjong Tile Set ($379) includes 166 premium acrylic mahjong tiles, 4 color-matched pushers, and a signature Mahjong Loft luxury storage case, with 8 flowers and 8 jokers among the tiles. The Ginkgo Parrot Acrylic American Mahjong Tile Set ($379) is a botanical four-layer design listed with 160 acrylic tiles, 4 pushers, and a luxury storage case. Browse more designs in our American mahjong sets collection, or start simpler with starter kits.
Racks with pushers
Four racks with pushers keep walls tidy while you learn new lines in April. The Solid Color 18" Mahjong Racks & Pushers ($75) are a set of 4 opaque acrylic racks with integrated pushers, 18" long. The Studio Acrylic Mahjong Racks & Pushers ($105) are a set of 4 acrylic racks with integrated pushers available in 17.5" and 20" lengths. See every style in our mahjong racks collection.
A mat for quieter practice nights
While you wait for the new card, keep midweek practice comfortable. The Zen Bamboo Mahjong Mat ($89) is a 33" × 33" neoprene mat with a stitched border, non-slip backing, and an instructional layout printed on the mat; it rolls for storage and travel. More designs are in our mahjong mats collection. For a full setup checklist, see American mahjong set with mat and racks.
2027 Mahjong Card FAQ
When does the 2027 mahjong card come out?
The National Mah Jongg League has not announced a date yet. In recent years, orders opened in late December or early January, and cards were mailed in late March or early April. Expect a similar schedule for 2027.
When can I order the 2027 NMJL card?
Not yet. As of October 2026 the League is still offering the 2026 card. Watch nationalmahjonggleague.org in late December 2026 or early January 2027 for 2027 ordering.
How much does the NMJL card cost?
2027 prices are not posted yet. For 2026, the League charged $14 for the standard card, $15 for large print, and $35 for the Mega Card, including shipping and membership.
Can I start using the new card as soon as it arrives?
The League does not set one official start date. Most groups switch once everyone at the table has the new card; some wait until April 1. Agree with your group before you change.
Is there a PDF of the 2027 mahjong card?
No official PDF. The card is copyrighted by the National Mah Jongg League and sold as a printed card. Avoid sites that claim free or early digital copies.
Do I need a new mahjong set for the 2027 card?
No. The tile set stays the same; only the official hands on the card change. Keep a complete American set (152 tiles including 8 jokers for play), racks, and the current card until your group switches.