Game nights look different in 2026, and the tile clatter spilling out of cafes, living rooms and community centers has a name. The mahjong revival is quietly reshaping how Americans gather, and the numbers behind it are striking. Eventbrite reported a 179 percent jump in mahjong events nationwide between 2023 and 2024, signaling that a centuries-old tile game has moved from niche pastime to mainstream social ritual.
What is fueling the surge? A mix of post-pandemic loneliness, a generational pivot away from drinking, and a craving for tactile, screen-free connection that few activities deliver...
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