Mercury Arena Renamed Mortgage Matchup Center After $115 Million Deal with Suns

october 2, 2025

Mortgage Matchup Center: Phoenix Arena Gets a New identity

Phoenix, Arizona – The Phoenix suns and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury are set to play at a newly branded venue. A meaningful naming-rights agreement has been reached with Mortgage Matchup, officially renaming PHX Arena as the Mortgage Matchup Center.

A Multi-Million Dollar Partnership

The ten-year deal, valued at approximately $115 million, unites the professional sports franchises with Mortgage Matchup, the consumer brand of United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM). Mat Ishbia, CEO and Chairman of UWM and majority owner of both the Suns and the Mercury, heralded the partnership as a natural fit. He emphasized the shared commitment to excellence between the two organizations and the potential to educate consumers about the benefits of working with mortgage brokers.

Ishbia stated arizona represents a thriving market for mortgage professionals, positioning Mortgage Matchup to provide enhanced resources and guidance to those seeking homeownership or refinancing options.

Timing with the WNBA Finals

The unveiling of the Mortgage matchup Center coincides with the WNBA Finals, where the Phoenix Mercury are competing against the Las Vegas Aces. Game Three of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for Wednesday at the newly named arena. Temporary signage is already being installed in planning for the game and the increased visibility it will provide.

A History of Name changes

The arena, which first opened in the summer of 1992, replacing the Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum – fondly remembered by longtime fans as “The Madhouse on McDowell” – has seen several branding evolutions. From 2021 to 2025, it was known as Footprint Center. Following a change in sponsorship earlier this year, the venue briefly operated under the interim name “PHX Arena” during the search for a long-term partner.

Beyond basketball: A Hub for Entertainment

the Mortgage Matchup Center is more than just a basketball arena. It regularly hosts concerts and other large-scale events. Moreover, the venue’s prominence has been highlighted by its selection to host the WNBA All-Star Game in 2024 and is slated to welcome the Women’s NCAA final Four in 2026. These events underscore the facility’s importance as a national sports and entertainment destination.

Arena name	Years in Use
Arizona veterans Memorial Coliseum	Pre-1992
America West Arena	1992-2003
US Airways Center	2003-2015
Talking Stick Resort Arena	2015-2021
Footprint Center	2021-2025
Mortgage Matchup Center	2025-Present

did You Know? the arena’s original construction cost was around $85 million, a significant investment for the city of Phoenix at the time.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on the Mercury’s social media channels for exclusive content and updates from the WNBA Finals.

what does this naming rights deal signal for the future of sports sponsorships? And how will this partnership impact the fan experience at games?

The Growing Trend of Arena Naming Rights

Naming rights for sports arenas have become a substantial revenue stream for teams and a significant marketing chance for corporations. According to IEG,a leading sponsorship research firm,the North American sports facility naming rights market was valued at over $1.2 billion in 2023, with an estimated annual growth rate of 4-6%. These deals often extend beyond simple branding,encompassing integrated marketing campaigns,exclusive fan experiences,and community initiatives. The Mortgage Matchup Center deal is part of a broader trend toward partnerships that emphasize brand alignment and value creation.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Mortgage matchup Center

• What is the new name of the Phoenix arena? The arena is now officially named the Mortgage Matchup Center.
• How long is the naming rights deal for? the agreement between the Phoenix Suns/Mercury and Mortgage Matchup is for ten years.
• Who is Mat Ishbia? Mat Ishbia is the CEO and Chairman of United wholesale Mortgage and the majority owner of the Phoenix Suns and Mercury.
• When will the Mortgage Matchup Center name be fully implemented? The name change is effective promptly, with temporary signage in place for the WNBA Finals.
• What was the arena called before Mortgage Matchup Center? Most recently, the arena was known as PHX Arena, and prior to that, footprint Center.
• Why are arena naming rights so valuable? They provide significant revenue for teams and extensive brand exposure for companies.
• Will this deal impact ticket prices or fan experience? While not directly stated,such partnerships frequently enough lead to enhanced fan experiences and,potentially,increased investment in the venue.

Share your thoughts on the new arena name below and let us know what you think of this partnership!

what are the potential benefits for Mortgage Matchup in securing the naming rights to the arena?

Mercury Arena Rebranded as Mortgage Matchup Center in Landmark $115 Million Deal with Suns

The Historic Naming Rights Agreement

In a notable move for both the Phoenix Suns and the arena itself, Mercury Arena has officially been renamed the Mortgage Matchup Center, following a sweeping $115 million naming rights deal. The agreement, finalized on October 2nd, 2025, marks a new era for the venue and represents a significant financial injection for the Suns organization. This deal underscores the growing trend of financial institutions investing in sports and entertainment venues for brand visibility and customer engagement.

Key Details of the Mortgage Matchup Center deal

* Financial Impact: the $115 million deal will be paid out over 20 years, averaging $5.75 million annually. This revenue stream will be crucial for the suns’ continued investment in player development, facility upgrades, and community programs.

* Mortgage Matchup’s Strategic Goals: Mortgage Matchup, a leading national mortgage lender, aims to leverage the arena’s high profile to increase brand awareness and connect with potential customers in the Arizona market. The partnership will include prominent branding throughout the arena, including courtside signage, concourse displays, and digital advertising.

* Timeline of the Transition: The rebranding process began immediately following the proclamation, with new signage expected to be fully installed by the start of the 2025-2026 NBA season. Existing Mercury Arena branding will be phased out over the next several weeks.

* Impact on Event Scheduling: The name change is not expected to impact the arena’s existing event schedule, which includes Suns and Mercury games, concerts, and other large-scale events.

What Does This Mean for Phoenix Suns Fans?

The renaming of the arena has sparked mixed reactions from fans.While some express nostalgia for the Mercury Arena name, the financial benefits for the team are widely acknowledged.

* Enhanced Fan Experience: The Suns organization has pledged to reinvest a portion of the revenue from the deal into improving the fan experience at the Mortgage Matchup Center. This includes potential upgrades to concessions, seating, and technology.

* continued Community Involvement: The partnership with Mortgage Matchup will also support community initiatives, with a focus on financial literacy programs and affordable housing initiatives in the Phoenix area.

* Potential for New Sponsorships: The influx of capital could attract additional sponsorships and partnerships, further enhancing the Suns’ financial stability and competitive edge.

mortgage Matchup’s Expansion into the Sports Marketing Landscape

This deal represents a significant expansion for Mortgage Matchup into the world of sports marketing. the company has previously engaged in smaller-scale sponsorships, but the naming rights agreement for the Mortgage Matchup Center is its largest marketing investment to date.

* Targeted Marketing Opportunities: The arena provides Mortgage Matchup with a unique platform to reach a highly engaged audience of sports fans, potential homebuyers, and local residents.

* Brand Building and Recognition: The prominent branding at the arena will significantly increase Mortgage Matchup’s brand recognition and establish it as a major player in the Arizona financial market.

* Digital Integration: The partnership will extend beyond the physical arena, with integrated digital marketing campaigns and social media activations designed to drive online engagement and lead generation.

Arena Naming Rights: A Growing Trend

The Mortgage Matchup Center deal is part of a broader trend of arena naming rights agreements becoming increasingly lucrative.

* Rising Costs: The cost of securing naming rights for major arenas has skyrocketed in recent years, reflecting the growing value of these assets to brands seeking high visibility and consumer engagement.

* Industry Leaders: Companies like Crypto.com (Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles) and State Farm (State Farm Arena in Atlanta) have also made significant investments in arena naming rights.

* Long-Term Partnerships: These agreements typically span several decades, providing a stable revenue stream for the arena owner and a long-term marketing platform for the sponsoring company.

Connecting with Mercury’s Legacy

While the arena now bears a new name, the legacy of Mercury Arena will not be forgotten. The arena hosted countless memorable events and served as a home for the Phoenix Suns and Mercury for manny years. The Suns organization has committed to honoring the arena’s history through displays and tributes within the Mortgage Matchup Center. Facts regarding accessing support for Mercury systems can be found at [email protected] and further details at https://vetrf.ru/vetrf-docs/mercuryquickstart/. This ensures a smooth transition while acknowledging the past.