6-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of November 2020

Commission File Number: 001-34238

THE9 LIMITED

17 Floor, No. 130 Wu Song Road

Hong Kou District, Shanghai 201203

People’s Republic of China

(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F x     Form 40-F ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):________________

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):________________

EXHIBIT INDEX

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: November 17, 2020

Exhibit 99.1

The9 Limited Announces Receipt of NasdaqNotice of Deficiency

Shanghai, China, November 17, 2020 — The9 Limited (Nasdaq: NCTY) (“The9” or the “Company”), an established Internet company, today announced that it received a notification letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market Inc. (“Nasdaq”) dated November 12, 2020, indicating that the Company no longer meets the continued listing requirement of minimum Market Value of Listed Securities (“MVLS”) for the Nasdaq Capital Market, as set forth in the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(2) because the market value of the Company’s securities listed on Nasdaq for the last 30 consecutive business days was below the minimum MVLS requirement of US$35.0 million.

Pursuant to the Rule 5810(c)(3)(C) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules, the Company has a compliance period of 180 calendar days, or until May 11, 2021 (the “Compliance Period”), to regain compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum MVLS requirement. If at any time during the Compliance Period, the Company’s MVLS closes at US$35.0 million or more for a minimum of ten consecutive business days, Nasdaq will provide the Company a written confirmation of compliance and the matter will be closed. In the event the Company does not regain compliance with Rule 5550(b)(2) prior to the expiration of the Compliance Period, the Company will receive written notification that its securities are subject to delisting.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “considers” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about The9’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, The9’s ability to license, develop or acquire online games that are appealing to users, The9’s ability to retain existing players and attract new players, The9’s ability to anticipate and adapt to changing consumer preferences and respond to competitive market conditions, political and economic policies of the Chinese government, the laws and regulations governing the online game industry, information disseminated over the Internet and Internet content providers in China, intensified government regulation of Internet cafes, and other risks and uncertainties outlined in The9’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual reports on Form 20-F. The9 does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

About The9 Limited

The9 Limited (The9) is an Internet company based in China listed on Nasdaq in 2004. The9 aims to become a diversified high-tech Internet company.

Investor Relations Contact

Ms. Connie Sun

Investor Relations Specialist

The9 Limited

Tel: +86 (21) 6108-6080

Email: IR@corp.the9.com

Website: https://www.the9.com/en