What M League Organization does

M League Organization (一般社団法人M機構) is a Tokyo-based general incorporated association that operates M.LEAGUE, Japan's first professional team-based national mahjong league, founded in July 2018. The league currently fields 10 teams and 40 professional players drawn from Japan's five major professional mahjong associations, with matches broadcast exclusively on ABEMA (CyberAgent) across a regular season of approximately 300 matches, a semi-final series, and a final series. The organization serves two core constituencies: mahjong enthusiasts who engage through fan membership, merchandise, and live events, and corporate sponsors/team owners (including Daiwa Securities, ZOZO, KONAMI, Sega Sammy, KADOKAWA, U-NEXT, and Asahi Shimbun) seeking brand exposure to the mahjong demographic. Representative Director and Chairman Fujita Susumu (founder, CyberAgent CEO) leads the organization.

The league's underlying technology consists of a standardized competition format ("M League Rules") played on professional-grade automated mahjong tables supplied by Taiyo Giken, an exclusive ABEMA streaming pipeline that includes the dedicated Mahjong Channel and original content such as M Tournament, and a digital product surface that includes M.LEAGUE OFFICIAL TRADING CARDS (built on ventus's ORICAL platform), AR-enabled 3D content via the HoloModels app, and a multi-channel retail and e-commerce operation (M.LEAGUE OFFICIAL SHOP, 4 permanent stores plus nationwide pop-ups, plus an online store hosted on Maruzen Junkudo). The organization also produces the off-season M Tournament (30 million yen prize pool in 2026) and community events such as the Kids Mahjong Festival, and has launched a series of fashion collaborations with ZOZOTOWN, fragment design, and Sanrio Characters to broaden the fan base.

Revenue is generated across five streams: broadcasting/licensing with ABEMA, the Official Supporter membership (¥7,150 annually, ¥16,500-18,500 replica uniforms), tiered corporate sponsorships (title, top, regular, supplier), merchandise sales (digital trading cards, wafer collectibles, apparel, accessories, AR products), and event ticket sales (Premium Night tickets from ¥18,000 to ¥360,000 for suite rooms). International distribution began in late 2024 via Shanghai Zhongxi Sports, bringing M.LEAGUE content to Bilibili, Douyin, and Douyu in China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan), and the league held its first US event — M.LEAGUE MEETUP in LAS VEGAS at AMOS FESTIVAL 2025 — in June 2025.

Name

M League Organization

Legal name

一般社団法人のM联赛機構 (General Incorporated Association M League Organization)

Website

https://m-league.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Short description

M League Organization operates Japan's first professional team-based national mahjong league, M.LEAGUE, with 10 teams and 40 players broadcast exclusively on ABEMA. It monetizes through corporate sponsorships, fan memberships, merchandise, and live events for mahjong fans and brand partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Sports League

NAICS

Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Spectator Sports (71121)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Individual-Sport Clubs & Teams (Cycling Teams, Athletics/Track Clubs, Swimming Clubs, etc.) (MPAKABAD)

Keywords

• Professional mahjong league
• Sports broadcasting
• Fan membership program
• Competitive gaming events
• Sports merchandise

Headquarters

HQ city

Minato-ku, Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Broadcasting Rights: M League games are exclusively broadcast on ABEMA (CyberAgent), providing streaming revenue through the television/online platform partnership.
2. Official Supporter Membership: Fan membership program (年間7,150円) offering merchandise, event tickets, and exclusive benefits to support teams or the league.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sales of official goods including replica uniforms, apparel, accessories, trading cards, and collaborative products through official online store, physical shops, and pop-up stores.
4. Sponsorship: League-wide and team-level sponsorship deals with various companies including title sponsors, top sponsors, regular sponsors, and official suppliers.
5. Event Revenue: Revenue from ticket sales for public viewing events, Premium Night events, and National tour viewings at cinema complexes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

M League Organization operates the M.LEAGUE, Japan's first professional team-based national mahjong league, running regular season, semi-final, and final series with 10 teams and 40 players across more than 400 matches per season, broadcast exclusively on ABEMA. The organization supports the league through an Official Supporter fan membership, M.LEAGUE OFFICIAL TRADING CARDS (digital collectibles), merchandise retail via physical shops and online store, and special events such as M Tournament, Premium Night, and Kids Mahjong Festival.

Product overview

M League Organization operates the M League (M.LEAGUE), Japan's first professional team-based national mahjong league, as its core product. The organization supports the league through official merchandise (M.LEAGUE Official Shop with physical stores and online store), fan membership (Official Supporter program), and digital collectibles (Official Trading Cards via ORICAL platform). Key product lines include fashion collaborations (ZOZOTOWN, fragment design FRGMT, Sanrio Characters), seasonal events (M Tournament, Kids Mahjong Festival), and regional POP UP STOREs across Japan. The league consists of 10 teams with 40 professional players competing in regular season, semi-finals, and finals format.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• M.LEAGUE | FRGMT: Collaboration brand with fragment design (藤原ヒロシ氏主宰) featuring fashion items such as hoodies, t-shirts, crew neck sweats, and blankets.
• FRAGMENT ORPHANS
• Mトーナメント
• M.LEAGUE OFFICIAL TRADING CARDS
• M.LEAGUE OFFICIAL SHOP

Products and services

• M.LEAGUE (M League) Professional Mahjong League The core professional mahjong competition featuring 10 teams of 4 players each (40 professional players total) competing across a regular season of 120 matches per team, followed by semi-finals and finals. Matches are broadcast live on ABEMA with standardized M League Rules.
• Official Supporter Membership
• M.LEAGUE OFFICIAL SHOP (Physical and Online Retail)
• M.LEAGUE OFFICIAL TRADING CARDS Digital trading card service on the ORICAL platform by ventus, allowing fans to collect, trade, and rank player and team cards digitally, including special collaboration cards.
• M Tournament (Mトーナメント) ABEMA original off-season tournament featuring M-leaguers plus highest-ranked players from major pro associations. 60-72 participants compete for a 30 million yen total prize pool, with M Tournament 2026 being the largest in individual mahjong titles.
• M.LEAGUE Premium Night
• M.LEAGUE National Tour Public Viewing
• M League Kids Mahjong Festival
• M.LEAGUE | FRGMT Fashion Collection
• ZOZOTOWN x M League Fashion Collaboration
• M League x Sanrio Characters Collaboration
• AR Acrylic Smartphone Stand
• M.LEAGUE Wafer Collect Box
• M League x Boss Coffee Collaboration
• M.LEAGUE MEETUP in Las Vegas

Quantifiable outcome

• EX風林火山 won their 2nd championship in 2025-26 season (previously won 2020-21)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, regular and minor.

• 大正製薬 (Taisho Pharmaceutical)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 April 2026Top sponsor for 2025-26 season. Contract period April to August 2026.
• 株式会社サンリオ (Sanrio)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 September 2025Character collaboration. Sanrio's popular characters (including Hello Kitty) combined with M League for merchandise and trading card collaborations.
• 大和証券 (Daiwa Securities)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 September 2025Title sponsor for regular season. Daiwa Securities is a major Japanese securities and financial services company. Contract period 2025-09 to 2026-08. Provides league naming rights for the regular season period.
• 株式会社ZOZOcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 September 2025Title sponsor for semi-finals and finals. Fashion e-commerce company operating ZOZOTOWN. Also provides fashion collaboration merchandise sold exclusively on ZOZOTOWN.
• 株式会社朝日奈社 (Asahi Shimbun)majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 September 2025Official media partner and postseason title sponsor (formerly postseason冠 sponsor). Major Japanese newspaper company providing media coverage and postseason sponsorship.
• menu株式会社majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 September 2025Top sponsor. Food delivery and takeout app operator.
• 株式会社ventusmajorTechnology or Integration · 10 September 2025Top sponsor (promoted from regular sponsor in 2025-26). Provides digital trading card service (ORICAL platform) for M.LEAGUE OFFICIAL TRADING CARDS. Sports/ entertainment fan business specialist.
• 索尼損害保険 (Sony Sompo)regularGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 September 2025Regular sponsor. Non-life insurance company.
• 株式会社WinTicketregularGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 September 2025Regular sponsor. Smartphone information service operator.
• 株式会社ジャパネットブロードキャスティング (Japanet Broadband Broadcasting)regularGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 September 2025Regular sponsor. BS10 broadcaster.
• LED TOKYO株式会社regularGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 September 2025Regular sponsor. LED vision sales and rental digital signage company. Also hosted collaboration events at LED DAIBA STUDIO venue.
• 株式会社anemoneregularGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 September 2025Regular sponsor. Beauty salon chain operator (100 stores nationwide).
• ローソンチケット (Lawson Ticket)regularChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 September 2025Ticket sales partner for official events and public viewings.
• ABEMA (CyberAgent)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 September 2025Exclusive broadcasting partner for all M League matches on 麻雀チャンネル (Mahjong Channel). Also produces original content including M Tournament and special events. Live broadcasts draft conferences and all official matches.
• 株式会社ローソン・ユナイテッドシネマ (Lawson United Cinemas)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 9 September 2025National tour partner. 42 theaters, 391 screens nationwide for public viewing events. Also sells official merchandise and wafer collectibles.
• UVERworldmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 June 2025Official song provider for 2025-26 season. New song 'NO MAP' used as official song. 4th consecutive season providing official songs.
• AMOS FESTIVAL (Las Vegas)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 March 2025First US event. M.LEAGUE MEETUP in LAS VEGAS held June 1, 2025 at Treasure Island Hotel. Part of AMOS FESTIVAL 2025 international mahjong tournament.
• 上海中玺体育有限公司 (Shanghai Zhongxi Sports)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 28 October 2024International distribution partner for China. Provides streaming on Bilibili, Douyin, and other Chinese platforms. Covers regular season, semi-finals, and finals from 2024-25 season. Excludes Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan.
• 株式会社ローソン (Lawson)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 28 October 2024Print-on-demand service (Lawson Print) for official merchandise including bromides and uchiwa fans. Also distributes wafer collectible boxes.
• 藤原ヒロシ fragment (fragment design)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 September 2024Fashion collaboration partnership. Designer Hiroshi Fujiwara's global street fashion brand. Multiple collaboration items released (3rd wave in 2026). Fashion x Mahjong crossover initiative.
• 渋谷横丁 (Shibuya Yokocho)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 September 2024Regional food alley collaboration. Entertainment and regional soul food venue partnership.
• ジャンカラ (Jankara)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 September 2024Karaoke chain collaboration (181 stores in West Japan). Joint events during 2024-25 season.
• サントリーフードスペシャルインターラショナル (Suntory Boss)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 August 2024Coffee collaboration product 'Boss 勝負の一手' released during 2024-25 season.
• トレンダーズ株式会社 (Trenders)regularGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 September 2022Regular sponsor. Marketing and investment company.
• 株式会社丸善ジュンク堂書店 (Maruzen Junkudo)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 29 September 2022Regular sponsor. Operates official shops in their bookstores and the online store. Bookstore chain with approximately 100 stores nationwide.
• ミズノ株式会社 (Mizuno)coreTechnology or Integration · 29 September 2022Official supplier. Manufactures official game uniforms and replica/license merchandise. Major Japanese sporting goods manufacturer.
• 大洋技研株式会社 (Taiyo Giken)coreTechnology or Integration · 29 September 2022Official supplier. Provides official mahjong tables and tiles for league matches. Mahjong product manufacturer.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Emerging players

• FIDE (International Chess Federation): Governing body for international chess competition, organizing structured tournaments, world championships, and online competition. Comparable as a professionalized intellectual sport federation with broadcast and sponsorship monetization.
• PokerStars Live / PokerGO: Operates professional poker tours and streaming content focused on competitive intellectual card play. Comparable in monetizing professional intellectual card-game competition via streaming, sponsorships, and international events.

Direct peers

• League of Legends Japan League (LJL): Japan's professional League of Legends league operated by Riot Games. Closely comparable in streaming-first broadcast model, team-based franchise structure, and Japanese competitive ecosystem positioning, despite competing in esports rather than traditional sports.
• World Series of Poker (WSOP): Premier professional poker competition circuit with structured tournament formats, broadcasting partnerships, and prize pools. Comparable as a professionalized intellectual card-game competition with broadcast monetization and international fanbase.
• Overwatch League: Franchise-based competitive league with team owners, regular season + playoffs structure, and exclusive streaming partnerships. Closely mirrors M League's franchise-sports-league structure, although operated at a larger and now-rebooted scale.
• B.League: Japan's professional men's basketball league, organized as a franchise-based league with corporate-backed teams, regular season + playoff format, and broadcast distribution. Closely comparable structural model to M League within Japanese professional sports.

Broad incumbents

• Japan Sumo Association: Governing body for professional sumo in Japan, operating a structured tournament schedule with televised broadcasts. Comparable as a Japanese traditional professional sports organization with league-style scheduling and broadcast-driven monetization.
• NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball): Japan's professional baseball organization, the established incumbent in Japanese professional team sports. Comparable in team-ownership and broadcasting-rights model, but operates at significantly larger audience scale.
• J.League: Japan's professional soccer league, the largest franchise-based professional sports league in Japan by audience and revenue. Comparable in league/team structure and broadcast-driven model, but at materially larger scale and mainstream reach.

Others

• Konami (eFootball League / Pro Baseball Spirits): Owns one M League team (KONAMI麻雀格闘倶楽部) and operates the Mahjong Fight Club online platform integrated into M League events. Comparable as both an M League partner and a parallel organizer of competitive game/sports formats.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/m_league_
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCBHvzjvii3kp4gd_gw6UEIA

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about M League Organization