Millennials Revive Mahjong, Ancient Tile Game Finds New Audience

Charlotte group hosts monthly events to introduce the century-old game to a new generation of players

Jan. 28, 2026 at 8:23am

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A group of millennials in Charlotte, North Carolina has found a passion for the ancient tile game of mahjong, hosting monthly events to introduce the game to newcomers. Mahjong instructor Allison Merriman has been teaching the game and building a community of players, many of whom discovered the game during the COVID-19 pandemic when they were isolated at home.

Why it matters

Mahjong, which evolved near Shanghai in the late 1800s, has long been associated with older generations and exclusive country club settings. But the game's resurgence among millennials shows how traditional pastimes can find new life and broader appeal, especially as people seek engaging social activities and cognitive stimulation.

The details

Merriman started playing mahjong during the pandemic after learning from her mom. She now hosts monthly mahjong events at Summit Coffee in Charlotte, welcoming newcomers and providing group lessons. Merriman says the game's competitive nature and skill-based gameplay have attracted many millennial players, some of whom have inherited sets from their grandparents. The National Institutes of Health have also found that playing mahjong can enhance cognitive abilities and short-term memory.

  • Merriman has been hosting monthly mahjong events for the past two years.
  • The game of mahjong first arrived in the U.S. in the 1920s.

The players

Allison Merriman

A mahjong instructor who started her own company, Mrs. Merriman Mahjong, to teach the game and host events in Charlotte.

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What they’re saying

“Mahjong definitely has this stigma of being yeah like a country club game, something that only a small group of people really partake in and I don't see any reason why that should be the case.”

— Allison Merriman, Mahjong Instructor

“If you're a gamer and you are somebody who likes games and you like that competitive nature, once you learn mahjong it tends to just get its teeth into you.”

— Allison Merriman, Mahjong Instructor

“Millennials I think loved going out and then during COVID we all stayed home a lot and we were very isolated and we lost a lot. I lost a lot of myself in that time and this is something new and engaging.”

— Allison Merriman, Mahjong Instructor

What’s next

Merriman plans to continue hosting monthly mahjong events in Charlotte to introduce more people to the game and build a community of players.

The takeaway

The resurgence of mahjong among millennials shows how traditional pastimes can find new life and broader appeal, especially as people seek engaging social activities and cognitive stimulation. Mahjong's combination of skill, strategy, and community has attracted a new generation of players.