The 2027 mahjong card: when to order and what to expect
Every spring the National Mah Jongg League replaces every hand on the card. Here is when the 2027 card should arrive, how to get it early, and how to get comfortable with it quickly.
By Jerry Chen. Checked and updated November 1, 2026
Status on November 1, 2026: the League has not announced 2027 ordering dates. The timeline below is based on how previous cards were released. We will update this page when orders open.
Expected timeline
| When | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| January 2027 | The League opens orders for the new card |
| Late March to early April | First batch ships to people who ordered early |
| Late April to May | Later orders ship |
| April onward | Groups switch over once everyone has a card |
Based on the release pattern described by I Love Mahj and Tom Sloper for recent cards.
How to get it early
- Order in January. Early orders go out in the first batch.
- Order direct from the League's store, or through a group order at your synagogue, Jewish community center or teacher.
- Avoid unknown marketplace sellers. Counterfeit cards with mistakes have been reported on large marketplaces.
- Decide on size. If you squint at the standard card, get the larger one.
How to learn a new card fast
- Read it section by section. Start with the sections you played most last year and see what changed.
- Find the year hands. They use the digits 2, 0, 2 and 7, with the soap standing in for zero.
- Mark the hands you like. Many players pick a few favourites per section to watch for.
- Note which hands are concealed. C hands change how you use the Charleston and when you can call.
- Play open hands for a week. Lay your tiles face up with your group and talk through which hands fit.
- Practise online. Apps that support the League card usually add the new card when it is released. Apps compared.
New to reading the card at all? Start with how to read the mahjong card.
Card reviews and classes
Many teachers run "new card review" sessions in April that walk through each section. If you take lessons, ask your teacher. Find a teacher near you.
Why we will not post the hands
The card is the League's copyrighted work, and buying it supports the League. We explain how to read and use the card, but we never reproduce or rewrite its hands.
Common questions
When will the 2027 mahjong card come out?
Going by past years, the National Mah Jongg League should open orders in January 2027 and ship the first batch around the end of March or early April. The League has not announced 2027 dates yet; check its site.
Where can I order the 2027 card?
From the National Mah Jongg League's online store, or through resellers such as mahjong shops, teachers, synagogue sisterhoods and Hadassah chapters, which often run group orders.
Can I see the 2027 hands before the card arrives?
No. The League keeps the new hands private until release, and posting them is not authorized. Treat any "2027 card PDF" you find online with suspicion.
When should we switch from the 2026 card?
Most groups switch in April, once everyone has their new card. Agree on a date with your group so nobody plays an old hand by mistake.
What color will the 2027 card be?
The League changes the card's color from year to year. Do not rely on color to tell cards apart: check the year printed on it.
Will the 2027 card come in large print?
The League has sold a standard card and a larger card in recent years, and we expect the same, but check its store when orders open.
Sources: I Love Mahj on card ordering dates; Tom Sloper, FAQ 7i on cards; My Jewish Learning (group card sales).