PHOENIX — On Friday, all 15 WNBA teams unveiled their Rebel Edition uniforms ahead of the 2026 season, and the Phoenix Mercury took it a step further by incorporating one of the most important elements of their history: the fans.
A spin on their last two Rebel Edition uniforms, Phoenix’s latest set features many surprises, with every detail carrying meaning.
The new black uniforms feature a modernized “PHX” wordmark across the chest with accents of the Valley gradient. This gradient is a nod to Arizona sunsets and the city the Mercury have represented for nearly three decades. But the most important feature may be the use of fan culture directly in the visual identity.
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For years, Mercury fans have referred to themselves as the X-Factor, a nickname the franchise has embraced as one of the WNBA’s most recognizable brands. It’s the connection between the team and fan base that inspired Phoenix to add “Merc” to the belt buckle of the shorts, a name fans have used to call their home team through the years.
Along the sides of the uniform, the gradient creates an “X” visual, adding another tie-in to the fans and a tribute the players will wear as they play.
It’s more than just a uniform refresh — it reflects how deeply intertwined the Mercury’s identity has become with the community that has supported the franchise through championship runs, sold-out crowds and the overall evolution of women’s basketball.
In an era when professional sports teams use alternate uniforms to connect with local culture, the Mercury’s approach directly ties into fan love and belonging. The organization framed the redesign as not just a celebration of Arizona, but also of those from Arizona and afar who proudly wear “The Phoenix Mercury” on their chest as fans.
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Whether it’s through the X-Factor identity or the Valley-inspired details to the uniform, Phoenix’s latest Rebel Edition design serves as a reminder that the Mercury’s culture has always extended beyond the court. The jersey is as much about the people who fill the arena year after year as it is about the team wearing it.
Phoenix will debut both the uniforms and the matching court on May 15 against the Chicago Sky at Mortgage Matchup Center.
