Team League

The Mahj Life Team League is an exciting annual online event where teams of skilled players battle through a series of rounds, all aiming for a coveted spot in the winner’s circle. Competing under the official National Mah Jongg League rules on the Mahjong Time platform, teams face off in a high-stakes elimination format, with the lowest-scoring teams being cut after each round. Only the highest-scoring teams advance as the competition intensifies, narrowing the field until the thrilling showdown. The remaining teams will compete for the prestigious Ruby, Jade, and Pearl awards in the grand finale.

If you want to participate but don’t want to create a team, click “Free Agents” below to help facilitate team building.

Getting Started Tutorial Free Agents Winner’s Circle Participant Dashboard

How it works:

  1. We will use the Mahjong Time online platform because its guild feature is perfectly suited for this online competition.
  2. The team leader must register with Mahj Life using the form below. The team leader will be invoiced for the registration fee ($240 plus transaction fees). The registration fees contribute to the award pool. The more teams that sign up, the larger the award pool will grow–so be sure to invite others to participate for a bigger payout!
  3. Each team can have up to SIX players. All players must have paid subscriptions to use the guild/team system. Teams with fewer players will be disadvantaged, so make every effort to have a staked team throughout the competition. The EON/EPOCH application on a desktop or laptop is recommended, but the Mahjong Time Multiplayer (Jingle Prize) mobile app can also be used.
  4. Individuals can participate in as many games and marathons as they like up to 3 hours daily, from Sunday to Saturday. Games and marathons are not scheduled, so individuals can play when convenient.
  5. When ready, create your team at Mahjong Time, and remember to register using the form below.

Join Mahjong Time

When: March, annually (8 team minimum; registration deadline: two weeks before the event; entry fee is fully refundable if the minimum is not met)

Week 1 Qualifier (all teams compete, top 6 teams move to the semi-finals)

Week 2 Semi-Finals (6 teams compete, top 3 teams move to the finals)

Week 3 Finals (3 teams compete in the winner’s circle)

Winner’s Circle Awards*:

Ruby ~40% of the award pool, a traveling trophy**, and access to exclusive MERCH; this team will be the defending titleholder, and its members will be exempt from the entry fee for the next competition.

Jade ~30% of the award pool, a traveling trophy**, and access to exclusive MERCH.

Pearl ~20% of the award pool, a traveling trophy**, and access to exclusive MERCH.

*A portion of the award pool will be reserved to cover shipping costs for the traveling trophies.

**The awarded trophy will be shipped to each team leader and held by the team for the season. A photo of the team with the trophy can be submitted to the Mahj Life Team League gallery. The team leader will be responsible for returning the trophy to Mahj Life by the end of January using the provided pre-paid card to cover shipping costs.

A set of four spherical salt and pepper shakers in different colors with metal tags.
Team League Trophies
The lead-free pewter dragon claw is under 3″ high and under 2 1/4″ wide at the widest point, and it holds a 50mm gemstone sphere.

All participants can access Mahj Life Team League MERCH (individual purchase).

  • Man wearing a grey t-shirt with a boxing championship graphic and a red boxing glove.
  • Person wearing a gray t-shirt with a St. Patrick's Day themed design.
  • Man wearing a gray t-shirt with a motivational design and text.
  • Man wearing a dark t-shirt with a graphic design featuring a panther and the text 'Panther Athletics 2025.'

Team League FAQs

Yes. The team leader registers the team, manages communication, and is responsible for payments, roster confirmation, and returning traveling trophies (if applicable).

Each team must have six players. Smaller teams are allowed but will be at a disadvantage, as the League is built around six active competitors contributing to the guild’s score.

No. Each player may play up to three hours per day, but teams can distribute their playtime however they wish. Some players may play more; others may play less. Strategy is part of the competition.

No. Because scoring is tied to the Mahjong Time guild system, each person can only play for one registered team.

No. Players can choose their own playtimes within the allowed hours each day (up to three hours per player, Sunday through Saturday). The League is designed to be competitive and flexible.

Teams must rely on their remaining roster. Roster swaps aren’t allowed, so it’s helpful to plan ahead and communicate as a team.

No. Rosters are locked once registration closes, and teams must compete with the same six players throughout all three weeks of the League.

This rule protects the event’s competitive integrity. The Team League is a three-week elimination competition in which six committed players move through the cycle together. Allowing roster swaps creates uneven advantages—such as bringing in a stronger player during a critical week or rotating in fresh players while others are playing tired or short-handed.

Stable rosters also ensure clean score reporting. Mahjong Time’s guild system ties individual performance to a consistent team lineup, and changing that lineup makes standings harder to track and opens the door to disputes about who contributed to which results.

Just as important, the League is built around team identity and cohesion. Once a guild enters the competition, their journey should reflect the teamwork and trust they bring to the table. Keeping rosters consistent preserves that shared experience and keeps the Team League a true team-based event.

Guild standings are based on Mahjong Time’s point system for games and marathons. Each player’s performance contributes to the team’s overall ranking for the week.

Yes. If the League does not meet the minimum of seven teams by the deadline, all registration fees will be fully refunded.

Join the team battle in a competition of wits today!

A request for payment in the amount of $100 will be sent via the payment method selected. If you place in the TOP 3, your cash award will be sent via the same method.