The 9th version of the AJCC staging system for nasopharyngeal carcinoma introduces important refinements, emphasizing improved prognostic accuracy, clarity, and clinical relevance. Building on the 8th version, it refines TNM classifications to address limitations in survival outcome stratification and incorporates new criteria. Specifically, the 9th version clarifies the criteria for T3 disease by requiring unequivocal evidence of bone involvement, namely of the skull base (including pterygoid plates), cervical vertebrae, or paranasal sinuses. It additionally introduces advanced radiologic extranodal extension as a criterion for the N3 category and subclassifies M1 disease into M1a (3 or fewer metastatic lesions) versus M1b (more than 3 metastatic lesions) disease to enhance risk stratification. Developed through extensive multicenter studies and validated by international panels, the 9th version redefines NPC stage groups, aligning clinical management with evidence-based practices and improving prognostic accuracy. This review highlights key modifications in the 9th version that are relevant to radiologists, providing imaging examples and considering implications for clinical practice, prognosis, and treatment planning.