CNN, Foursquare team up to connect World Cup fans

Putting soccer fans at the heart of its 2010 FIFA World Cup coverage, CNN has checked in with location-based social network Foursquare to connect fans all over the world throughout the month-long tournament. This is the first time Foursquare has teamed up with a media company for a multi-country initiative, with this one stretching across all 32 countries represented in the World Cup.

Starting Friday, World Cup fans who follow CNN at www.foursquare.com/cnn can check in at more than 100 venues to unlock special CNN badges. In order to unlock these badges, fans must check in at least three times at any of these CNN-tagged locations between June 11 and July 11.

Fans in South Africa can check in on Foursquare from stadiums and landmarks to earn the South Africa Explorer badge, while fans in the other 31 competing countries can check in at viewing venues to earn the Super Fan badge.

“With mobile users increasingly using location-based networking services like Foursquare, the World Cup provides the perfect stage for CNN to connect with a new generation of fans across the globe,” said Nick Wrenn, vice president of digital services for CNN International. “The fans are at the center of CNN’s World Cup coverage – whether they’re in South Africa or watching from home – and our special CNN badges on Foursquare are a fun and innovative extension to identify and interact with ‘Super Fans’.”

This unique opportunity gives fans the ability to share with their friends where they are watching as well as the chance to provide “tips” to other Foursquare users for each location. CNN staffers and correspondents will also leave tips for users across many of these locations.

Users can access more details about the special CNN badges on Foursquare as well as CNN’s complete coverage of South Africa 2010 by visiting www.cnn.com/worldcup.