From time to time, brands invite their consumers to assist them in developing new products—as a rule, fans create package or apparel designs, commercials or even flavours of drinks, while naming usually remains in the domain of the brand’s creative team. adidas UK decided to step further and is now offering football fans a life-time chance to give a name to the official matchball of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Quite a bold step since the ball is not only the brand’s product, but a part of the international sports history as well.

The design of the ball, which will be unveiled in spring 2012, is developed by adidas, the official sportswear partner for the London Olympic Games, but so far it is kept under wraps. Creative fans (residents of the U.K., 13 years old or over) are invited to the contest page, where they can submit their variant of the name for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the 2011 UEFA Champions League Final at Wembley as well as the ball itself featuring the name suggested by the winner. Of course, he or she will be also invited to participate in the official launch of the ball.

The submissions are accepted through February 28. Then, the entries will be shortlisted to 10 by an expert panel, and after that the winner will be selected and notified by email before the end of April 2011.

Chairman of the 2012 Games, Sebastian Coe, commented, “The Olympic Football tournament will see some of the world’s best young players competing in this country and millions of people can be part of it when tickets go on sale from March 15. However one lucky person will make a real mark on the tournament by naming the ball—what an opportunity to be part of Olympic history.”