Fans can unlock the badge by following UEFA.com on foursquare and checking in at the stadium during the festivities in the run-up to the match or by including “UEFA Champions League” in their shout when they check in during the game, wherever they happen to be watching it. The unlock text reads:

Congratulations! You have just unlocked the exclusive 2012 UEFA Champions League final badge. After beating Europe’s best, it all comes down to this for Chelsea and Bayern, enjoy the match!

“This is going to be a true digital festival,” said Alexandre Fourtoy, UEFA’s Director of Communications, in a press release. ”Our goal is to engage fans in Munich, as well as those around the world, in the UEFA Champions League final festivities by using a range of digital platforms that are easy to use and interact with. We hope that the new Foursquare activation coupled with Google+ hangouts will bring the finals of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Women’s Champions League to life for those fans who can’t attend the event.”

Last year’s badge was sponsored by Sony Ericcsson, but was only available at the game itself.

What do you think of the badge?

UEFA Champions League Final gets a badge for the second year in a row originally appeared on About Foursquare

Users will be able to unlock the badge by following Variety and their Cannes Film Festival list, then checking in to one of the venues on the list. The venues include a variety of restaurants and hotels around the Cannes area and Variety has left a tip at each one featuring their recommendations.

The unlock text reads:

You’ve found one of Variety’s favorite spots to rub elbows with the Power Players. Now go brag to your agent. But this is one payday they don’t get 10% of.

Variety says that by unlocking the badge, you’ll “qualify for a chance to win event tickets, VIP experiences and more,” although it’s unclear what those prizes are or how you could win them.

Will you be in Cannes? What do you think of the badge?

Variety and foursquare launch a badge for the Cannes Film Festival originally appeared on About Foursquare

Fans can earn the badge by following MCFC on foursquare and checking in at Etihad Stadium, City Square, and City Stores. There are also ten “Heart of the City” venues around the world where you can earn the badge by checking in during the games, including sites in the US, Canada, Australia, the UAE and France. You can find them on a foursquare list the club has created.

The first 30 fans who check in at City Square on Sunday will unlock a flash special that entitles them to a free MCFC shirt courtesy of EA Sports. Other MCFC venues will be offering specials as well. Fans in Baltimore will be able to unlock drink specials at Sláinte Irish Pub when they show their badge upon ordering.

“Innovating with digital media has been a huge focus for us over the last year,” said Richard Ayers of MCFC’s digital team. “We’re constantly striving to build more meaningful and rewarding relationships with fans, wherever they are in the world, and this deal is a fantastic addition to the City services. Foursquare’s a great company to work with and we’re delighted to be the first in football to offer our fans this service.”

What do you think of the partnership?

UPDATE: The badge is now available. The unlock text reads:

Blue moon, you saw me standing alone, without a dream in my heart, without a love of my own. Thank you for your support! #MCFC

Manchester City Football Club partners with foursquare for a new badge originally appeared on About Foursquare

To earn the badge, you’ll need to check in at five of foursquare’s recommended spots in the city. As with all city badges, the list was developed with help from local residents, so you can be sure it will point you to some quality spots, from tourist spots to nightclubs popular with the locals.

The unlock text reads:

From the girls of Ipanema to the die-hard fans at Maracana, Rio knows. Spend the afternoon sipping Caipirinhas and feasting on feijoada, then head to Lapa for some Samba. Catch a ride home on a Kombi and do it all again tomorrow!

Foursquare says they’ll begin rolling out the international city badge winners next week.

What do you think of the Carioca badge?

Rio de Janeiro gets a foursquare city badge originally appeared on About Foursquare

The badges can be unlocked by checking in to five of foursquare’s recommended places in Jakarta or Bangkok.

Selemat Datang

Weave between the crowds at the museums and monuments in Kota Tua, and shop ‘til you drop at the Grand Indonesia Shopping Town. Head to Bandar Djakarta for some killer seafood (you’re on an island, after all!), then catch a game at GBK. Mantap!

Krung Thep

When you’re not shopping at Siam Paragon or MBK, you’re probably in the back of a tuk tuk stuck in traffic or going to meet friends on Khao San Road. You know which roadside noodle stand is best, love som tam, and live for a good Tom Yum Goong. Zab!

Foursquare has seen incredible growth throughout Southeast Asia, so these two badges will be should be very popular.

Which is your favorite?

City badges land for Jakarta and Bangkok originally appeared on About Foursquare

According to foursquare, you can unlock the badge by checking in “at your commencement ceremony and shout about graduation too (ie. “I’m graduating!”).” The unlock text reads:

Pomp and Circumstance booming, speakers waxing poetic on staying hungry (and foolish), and even some brave souls taking their diploma walk in flip flops. It’s graduation! Cheers to all of the commenced – the real world is ready for you now.

The design follows the same look as the original college badges foursquare launched in 2010.

What do you think of the badge?

Foursquare launches a new badge for college graduation originally appeared on About Foursquare

The badge honors foursquare users who check in at the historic places recommended by the NTHP (you’ll need to follow them to earn the badge). Each place has a tip highlighting the historic nature of the building. They cover more than 450 places ranging from Florida’s Bonnet House Museum and Gardens to the Post Office in Townsend, WA, where they’ve said:

The Port Townsend U.S. Customs House and Post Office, built in 1893, is the oldest surviving, federally constructed post office in Washington State.

The historical tidbits are a great way to learn about the buildings around us and the way they’ve influenced our country and culture. The badge is a great way to highlight the users who’ve made it a point to visit those historic places and help to educate foursquare users — and their friends on Facebook and Twitter — about the importance of preserving them. The unlock text reads:

From Fanueil Hall to Fort Monroe, the Apollo to the Roxie, historic places help build vibrant, sustainable communities. Wear this badge with pride, you’re a part of PreservationNation!

The badge goes along with today’s launch of the Partners in Preservation initiative for 2012. Each year the NTHP and American Express partner to offer grants to help particularly endangered buildings in a single city. This year their focus is on New York City, where visitors can vote on which of the 40 proposed projects should receive $3 million in funding. In addition, the NTHP has created foursquare lists to highlight the projects they’ve helped in previous focus cities, including Boston, Chicago, Seattle, the Twin Cities, New Orleans and San Francisco.

Preservation Nation joins a select few badges awarded by non-profit organizations. Others include the Red Cross and the New York Public Library.

What do you think of the badge?

National Trust for Historic Preservation launches Preservation Nation badge originally appeared on About Foursquare

Minneapolis became the 26th city to host a foursquare city badge with the launch of the City of Lakes badge, while it’s neighbor, St. Paul became the 27th. Their Pig’s Eye badge is a mirror image of Minneapolis’ — a fitting tribute to two cities that are so tightly intertwined.

As with other city badges, the badges honor users who check in to five of foursquare’s recommended spots in Minneapolis or St. Paul. The unlock text for Minneapolis reads:

You’re hip to the midwest max! Not rain, nor sleet, nor feet of snow can keep you from your bike, and you’d die before missing a First Ave show. So hit up a Twins game, swing by the Sculpture Garden, and tell us: what does the cherry in the spoon MEAN?!

And for St. Paul:

Whether you’re feasting on fried cheese curds at the State Fair or high-fiving the Vulcan Krewe during Winter Carnival, St. Paul is where it’s at. From Como Park to Lowertown, Summit Ave to those secret tunnels, you keep it real on your side of the river.

It’s a bit surprising to see more US cities honored with badges while we await the launch of a whole host of international city badges from the international badge contest.

What do you think of the badges?

/This post was substantially altered to reflect the later release of the Pig’s Eye badge.

Twin cities, twin badges originally appeared on About Foursquare

You’ll need to check in 10 times at running tracks, or by adding things like “jogging at the park” to your shouts. The unlock text reads:

There’s no hill too steep, weather too miserable, personal best unbeatable, or shame in hitting the snooze button (once in awhile…). Now gulp some electrolytes, put ‘Eye of the Tiger’ on repeat, and don’t let anyone hate on your Five Finger shoes.

This is another badge that should be fun to earn this Spring before the weather gets too hot.

What do you think of the badge?

Runners rejoice: there’s a new foursquare badge for you, too! originally appeared on About Foursquare

You’ll need to check in 10 times at your local bike shop to earn the badge. Alternately, you can add phrases like “biked to work today” to your shouts. The unlock text reads:

Whether you’re riding a cruiser, fixie, road bike or recumbent, the most important thing is you’re protecting the ozone AND you look good in spandex. Like a modern day Captain Planet! Except instead of flying, you’ve got that two-wheeled contraption…

With Spring in full swing in most of the Northern Hemisphere, it’s bike-riding season, so lots of people should start unlocking this badge as they get their bikes tuned up and ready to ride.

What do you think of the new badge?

Get your bike on for a new foursquare badge originally appeared on About Foursquare