Below is a list of common questions asked about San Jose Ultras membership. If you have any questions that are not answered below please send us an email and we will respond as soon as possible.
Contact Us1. What does it cost?
We expect our members to pay $30 in dues annually for their membership to be in good standing. We use this money to finance the various efforts we make to support our team like tifo and offsetting away trip costs. The San Jose Ultras are completely independent from the San Jose Earthquakes and are entirely self-supported.
2. Do I have to be a member to chant with you guys?
No. We welcome all Quakes fans who want to help us support the team, provided that you respect the rules of our section (see question 10).
3. What if I don’t know the lyrics to the chants?
You will become familiar with the lyrics to most of the major chants by the end of the game. The chants are usually repeated long enough for most people to memorize them quickly. If you’re having trouble with some of the words, ask one of us and we’ll gladly help. If you want to prepare before your first game with us, here are the lyrics to some of our chants. Most of our chants have a choreography that accompanies them. Look around to see what those around you are doing and do the same.
4. What should I wear to the matches?
Wear BLACK in the stands. Ultras gear is the best choice, but Quakes jerseys and t-shirts are also cool AS LONG AS THEY ARE BLACK. If you don’t have any of the above, a black shirt will do. Avoid wearing jerseys and gear from other teams in our section. Bring a Quakes scarf if you have one. Many of our chants have choreography that includes raising and waving our scarves.
5. Can I bring friends?
Of course. However, you will be responsible for ensuring that they wear black and respect the rules of our section. Don’t bring them if they aren’t going to participate or will disrupt the group.
6. What is the group policy on alcohol?
All persons over the age of 21 are more than welcome to consume alcohol during the tailgate and during the game. However, we do not tolerate drunk, irresponsible people in our section.
7. Is attendance at all matches mandatory?
Attendance at derbies is absolutely mandatory. Beyond that, it’s the moral duty of every member to show up to as many games as possible, if not all. We expect time off for derbies and away trips to be planned in advance when the season’s schedule is released. However, we understand that work, school, and family obligations are sometimes unavoidable.
8. What is a derby?
A derby is a game against a big rival. For us, that is our game against the LA Galaxy. We have smaller rivalries with clubs like Portland, Seattle, and LAFC but our derby is against the Galaxy.
9. What is the difference between the San Jose Ultras and the supporters groups across the league?
As our name states, we are a crew of ultras – not a supporters group. We differentiate ourselves by our mentality, standards, and philosophy that are firmly rooted in Europe where our founders are from, mixed with some local characteristics and American pride. It is a level of commitment and sacrifice defined by SJU and the Earthquakes being top priorities in our lives. We also have a larger emphasis on tifo.
10. What is tifo?
Tifo is an Italian word that describes the various visual displays that ultras around the world use to inspire their teams, diss rival teams/groups, express pride, or send a message. Tifo comes in many different forms like flags, message banners, card choreos, overheads, two-poles, smoke bombs, etc. You can see some examples of our tifo past and present here.
Our Past Displays11. What is expected of me during the game?
Responsibilities are simple: wear black; stand and chant for 90 minutes; respect the group’s code of conduct; follow directions, particularly when we are displaying tifo; be in the section at the start of the match and at the end of halftime; help wave flags; perform the choreography for each chant; and if buying tickets from the group, pay promptly. We also ask that you be responsible and control your alcohol consumption. Cleaning up puke and babysitting drunks is an unwelcome distraction during the game and interferes with our goal of supporting the team in a unified way.
12. What can I do to help the cause once I sign up?
Give 100% at the games, travel with us to the away derbies, help with tifo, help fundraise, recruit new members, and contribute whatever skills and talents you have to improve the group.
13. Does the group meet apart from match days?
Viewing parties are organized for some away games that we don’t attend in person. You can find these in the events section of the site. We also organize various social events like BBQ’s and parties between games and during the offseason.
Upcoming Events14. Will you stop waving the flags? I’m trying to watch the game.
No. If the flags bother you, you’re in the wrong section. Ask your ticket rep to change your tickets to another section.