Phoenix League
The Phoenix League ,
established by the Hong Kong Mahjong Association as the official competitive framework for Riichi Mahjong,
aims to build a sustainable, verifiable, and progressive competitive platform through clear tiering, fixed tournament schedules, and rigorous promotion/relegation mechanisms.
Within this system,
all qualifications, positions, and honors
are earned solely through actual competition results,
not through fame, invitations, or subjective evaluations.
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Institutional Philosophy
Replace chance with system
Test your strength during the competition
The Phoenix Throne Battle is not a single event.
Instead, it is a complete and rigorous competitive ladder.
Different levels correspond to different competition durations.
This tests a player's consistency, judgment, and resilience under pressure during long-term matches.
Ensure that the advancement results are sufficiently convincing and the competition is reasonable.
The longer the tournament, the slower the flow of players.
The shorter the competition period, the fiercer the competition.
This structural design aims to maintain the balance of the overall competitive ecosystem.
Regarding fairness
The Phoenix League system adheres to the following principles:
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No permanent qualification
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No quotas are set for guaranteed admission or recommendation.
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No one-time privileges
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No exceptions will be made based on identity, title, or past reputation.
All rises, falls, and destinations
All after the end of the full season,
It will be handled in one go according to the established procedures.
League Division Introduction
The Phoenix League System employs a tiered league structure,
utilizing varying season lengths and promotion/relegation rhythms
to construct a clear pathway from foundational levels to the highest competitive stage.
The positioning, season duration, and mobility frequency of each division
are designed according to system principles
to ensure competitive fairness and overall ecosystem stability.
A1 League (Annual Format)
Top Tier League
The A1 League represents the pinnacle of the Phoenix Position Battle League system,
serving as the premier stage for competitive Mahjong within our association.
Operating on a long-term season format,
this tier focuses on evaluating players' stability,
resilience under pressure, and overall competitive maturity in high-intensity environments.
The top 4 ranked players in the A1 League
also qualify for the Phoenix Position Tournament honors that year.
Promotion Spots: None
Demotion Spots: 4 (to A2 League)
A2 League (Annual System)
Secondary Tier League
The A2 League serves as the pivotal bridge between the top tier and intermediate levels,
positioned as a verification stage for advanced competitive prowess.
This tier also operates on a year-round schedule,
featuring a higher turnover rate compared to A1,
providing a formal pathway for promotion to players with potential who still require consistent performance.
Promotion Slots: 4 (to A1 League)
Demotion Slots: 4 (to B1 League)
B1 League (Semi-Annual)
Upper Mid-Tier Competition Level
The B1 League represents the upper tier of mid-level competition,
designed for players possessing a solid competitive foundation.
This tier operates on a six-month schedule,
with higher promotion/relegation frequency than the A tier.
Its primary focus is evaluating athletes' ability
to maintain consistent performance throughout the mid-season.
Promotion Spots: 2 (to A2 League)
Demotion Spots: 2 (to B2 League)
B2 League (Semi-annual)
Mid-tier Competitive Level (Lower)
The B2 League represents the lower tier of mid-tier leagues,
positioned as a crucial transitional and screening layer within the system.
This tier also operates on a semi-annual schedule,
serving as a bridge for players advancing from the foundational tier
to transition into mid-to-high-tier competitive environments.
Promotion Slots: 2 (Promotion to B1 League)
Demotion Spots: 2 (Demotion to C League)
C League (Quarterly System)
Foundational and Support Tier
The C League and lower tiers
form the foundational layer of the Phoenix Position Battle League system,
primarily serving to accommodate new entrants and expand the system's capacity.
This tier operates on a quarterly competition schedule,
with the highest player turnover rate,
aiming to allow players possessing basic competitive skills
to gradually accumulate achievements through structured matches
and subsequently advance upward.
Promotion Spots: 2 (to B2 League)
Demotion Spots: None
Promotion/Relegation & Player Movement Principles
All promotions/relegations occur only after the conclusion of a full season
No mid-season promotions/relegations or ad hoc adjustments
Promotion/relegation slots are finalized before the season begins
Movements occur only between adjacent tiers
Vacant slots are filled by ranking within the same tier only
The system prioritizes stability and predictability,
avoiding immediate adjustments that could disrupt the overall competitive structure.
Phoenix Ranked Team Selection – The Official Entry Point to the League System
The Establishment Selection serves as a transitional mechanism for the Phoenix Position Battle League system during its inaugural year.
Its purpose is to establish a reasonable, verifiable,
and sustainable initial league structure that meets long-term competitive operational needs.
This selection mechanism is not a single event,
but rather a competitive evaluation process centered on tournament duration, number of matches, and actual performance,
ensuring that players entering the league system
possess sufficient foundational strength and competitive maturity.
Principles of the Organizational Selection Tournament System
The Phoenix League Establishment Selection Tournament will be established in the inaugural year and automatically conclude upon completion of the institutional period.
The Institutional Selection Tournament comprises three phases, each lasting three months;
Open Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 3:00 PM to 12:00 AM; no restrictions on half-game counts during these periods.
Scores are not carried over between phases.
Phase I Selection Tournament (March to May)
Upon completion of Phase One, the top 32 ranked players qualify for Phase One of the Selection Tournament.
Phase Two Selection Tournament (June to August)
Upon completion of Phase Two, the bottom 12 ranked players qualify for the B-Class League Tier 3 based on their ranking; all other players qualify for Phase Three of the Selection Tournament.
Phase Three Selection Tournament (September to November)
Upon completion, the bottom ten ranked players will qualify for Category 2 of the B-Class League based on their ranking; all other players will qualify for Category 1 of the B-Class League.
Valid results for the First Stage are: the best consecutive scores from twenty half-games, with a minimum total of thirty half-games played.
Valid results for the Second and Third Stage Selection Tournaments are: the best consecutive scores from twenty half-games.
Selection Recruitment Criteria
The formal selection process is not designed for short-term trials or experiences,
but for players who intend to formally enter the long-term competitive system
and are willing to undergo the scrutiny of the competition schedule and system.
If players are confident that their skills are built upon long-term judgment and consistent performance,
the formal selection process will provide a clear and fair pathway for entry.