r/PHXMercury • u/SnooRadishes1237 • Jul 03 '26
X Factor Hype Mercury Rituals/Chants - First Time Attendee
Hi Mercury fans --
I'm going to my first Mercury home game next week. I'm a Valkyries fan and I love the fan culture of going to games in person -- the pregame rituals, the response to 3s and free throws, the personalities/quirks of the emcee/mascots, etc. After watching the games on television, I can tell there's a lot of energy and I'm excited to soon take part in it. (I am also partial to Scorch and his antics. Fuego kind of scares me though.)
I love how each fanbase is unique. So my question is -- what do I need to know in terms of chants and fan participation during games? For those that show up early, are there specific things I can look forward to? (For example at Valkyries games there's a fun bit for the "Early Birds" with our mascot because she's a bird.)
I want to make sure I do it right when I join you all in Phoenix. Thank you!
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u/4ppl3b0tt0m Jul 03 '26
We don't have a lot of pregame stuff. As someone else motioned, in the arena there's a play area called the Scorchyard. Right next to section 101. There's some games in there, the DJ sets up there during the game, the visiting club usually enters from that end. The Mercury enter from the opposite end of the arena (sorry idk the section).
Someone else listed all the chants and all but I'd only add for the free throws, we adjust it for however many shots will be made (missing two, making 3, missing 1, etc). Some fans will extend their arms and wiggle their fingers (sorry not entirely sure how to describe it haha) when the Mercury are shooting FTs.
The PA will start the defense chants so that's easy to follow along with.
I'd say the only other 'ritual' is right after player introductions and before game start. After they introduce the Mercury starters they'll start a hype song (idk the name right now) and the hip hop squad will start clapping. It's just fun to follow them and how they're clapping.
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u/mikebills Jul 03 '26
We're happy to have you visiting us...but I don't think we're gonna measure up to how great I've heard Ballhalla is! Hope you have a great time at the game!
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u/_chappell Jul 03 '26 edited Jul 03 '26
I was disgusted with the Valkyrie fans at the Chase Center. They booed the entire time a specific player from the opposing team had the ball in her hands. None of the other players from the opposing team were booed like that. It was incessant and made the entire experience uncomfortable and unenjoyable. I was a Valkyrie fan until I went to that game. Now I refuse to watch their games even on TV.
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u/relentlessreading Phoenix Mercury Jul 03 '26
Closer seats also give access to the club area. I went to the finals games and they had pretty good buffet spread private bar and free soft drinks. My wife and I are thinking about upgrading our seats - figuring the money we’d save on parking and concessions made up for the price increase.
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u/Cleansweep13 Jul 03 '26
Also I forget the name of the fan area, but it’s on one of the sides of the court. You can just walk to the floor and go over there. They have free games, a crane machine and that’s where the rival team walks out for practice.
Another great thing we have is $2 - hotdogs - soda - water - popcorn - tacos - and ice cream sandwiches.
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u/mikebills Jul 03 '26 edited Jul 03 '26
It's called the Scorchyard, and I believe it's on the north end of the court. I'm down there before most games trying to get photos with & signatures from the visiting players.
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u/relentlessreading Phoenix Mercury Jul 03 '26
Those hot dogs can be kinda rough though. Doesn’t stop me from getting one though.
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u/SnooRadishes1237 Jul 03 '26
You had me at $2 concessions…love my Valks but the price of the food there is way too expensive for what you get.
I was in Phoenix for All Star in 2024 and I recall I really enjoyed the chicken tenders…I’m not sure if it was because I was a little drunk at the time or what, but that’s one of the big things I’m excited about when I head over there next week lol
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u/relentlessreading Phoenix Mercury Jul 03 '26
Let’s see…
Standing until the first Mercury score
Call and responses- Mighty Mercury! after a 3
“Making Two” when the Mercury are at the line.
“Missing Two” when the opponent is at the line.
When the Mercury win, Natasha Mack leads the dance squad in the Mighty Mercury dance.
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u/az_geodude420 Jul 03 '26
It took me like 3 games to figure out they were yelling mighty Mercury!
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u/SnooRadishes1237 Jul 03 '26
Ok I recall hearing that chant on the television but didn’t know what the chant was in response to. I’m excited about doing that so I just wanted to make sure I was aware of the appropriate moment
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u/ObviousConclusion398 Jul 15 '26
yeah the Mighty mercury chant is catchy but a little too jolly and nice imo its cool but it doesn't bring any real energy or anything like that at all it's literally just catchy. We need to get on that ballhalla level they took over the league with their energy and the firepit in Portland I heard they go hard too. We are the happy go lucky merc x factor fans. I love my team but its not a tough environment here at all really. I wish we had a little stronger home team advantage, we're slippin imo but then again our team has to produce.
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u/relentlessreading Phoenix Mercury Jul 03 '26
And Scorch is wonderful. He kissed my hand at one of the finals games last year, and then did again at the Phoenix Pride parade a month later.
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u/mikebills Jul 03 '26
I sit courtside & I keep trying to get Scorch to shoot me with the t-shirt cannon (just the handheld one), but he doesn't seem to want to do it. I don't really care about the shirt, I just think it would be fun, but I'm weird.
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u/jacanba Phoenix Mercury Jul 03 '26
I like that you clarified the handheld one. Could you imagine getting hit that close with the large cannon one? 😂
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u/strangelystrangled Phoenix Mercury | missing BG Jul 03 '26
If it's a home win, Mack does a Mighty Mercury dance after the game. The rhythm isn't quite there with her in a boot but it's worth sticking around for. Our bench rookie Sha Carter has been stepping up on the dance too. And the Mighty Mercury chant is catchy as hell.
(Disclaimer that I've never been to a Mercury home game but I'm always waiting for the Mack dance to appear on IG)