Mahjong is the new tailgate game taking over college football for women - and even at home with head coaches

Key Points:

• Mahjong has become a popular pastime among Southern women and is increasingly seen at college football tailgates across the country, including LSU, Ole Miss, Alabama, and Indiana.
• The game, often compared to poker for men, serves as a social and competitive outlet, with women hosting regular game nights and some men, including college football coaches, also participating to relax and bond with family.
• Mahjong equipment can be expensive, with specialty sets costing over $400, though more affordable options exist; stores dedicated to the game, such as the Tuscaloosa Mahjong Parlor, cater to this growing interest.
• Several college football coaches admitted to playing Mahjong regularly, using it as a way to unwind and spend quality time with their families, highlighting the game's unexpected integration into the college football community.
• The author, initially unfamiliar with Mahjong, embarked on an investigative journey to understand the game's cultural significance within college athletics, discovering its deep-rooted social and competitive appeal.