The Uniforia ball bounced into play on Wednesday night as adidas put on a London event for the official centre-piece of the 2020 European Championships. The countdown to EURO 2020 has officially begun and the launch of the Uniforia is the first chapter in adidas' activation plans for the tournament.

The ball is designed to celebrate the togetherness that next year’s tournament will inspire across the continent. In fusing art and football in the design of the ‘Uniforia’, adidas have created a match ball with a message of coming together at its heart. With EURO 2020 set to be played out across 12 different European countries for the first time ever, the ball commemorates the notion of building bridges, blending borders and overcoming diversity of both fans and athletes. 

With England preparing to host both semi-finals and the final in July, London was a fitting location for the official launch event. Showcasing their history with the tournament adidas displayed every official match ball from EURO 2000 right up to the new ball which will be used as Portugal begin their defence of the title in June next year. England legend Ian Wright was joined by Premier League talent in Michy Batshuayi, Moise Kean, N'Golo Kante and Kepa Arrizabalaga (has anyone even not copy and pasted his name?) all of whom will be hoping to play a part at the tournament.

Wright was joined on stage by Amy Drucquer from 'This Fan Girl' talking unity in football, how the game can bring people together, and the expectations for the tournament, before the Premier League players took to the stage to until the ball to the assembled media for the first time.

Two art installations were produced to bring that thread of creativity to the event and a ball design workshop gave people a chance to go to town on blank footballs and give their own interpretation of the design and wider Uniforia message. To round off the night guests were given a discreet first look at some of the adidas EURO 2020 kits, which you won't have to wait too long to see.

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Pick up the adidas 'Uniforia' EURO 2020 football at prodirectsoccer.com