BBC AMERICA and top food website Foursquare.com are teaming up to help Foursquare users discover the best spots for 6 Nations Rugby watch parties in the USA.
Every year across the globe, people unite in pubs and restaurants to watch RBS 6 Nations Rugby Championship matches, one of Europe’s biggest annual sporting events. BBC AMERICA is elevating its coverage this year with digital partnerships and broadcasting five live matches wrapped with new pre- and post-game shows, beginning with 2010 Champion France versus Scotland on Saturday, February 5, 11:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. PT.
Foursquare users who follow BBC America will be guided to more than 100 rugby hot spots across the United States and in the six host countries — England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales — and they can unlock the BBC America Rugby badge by checking in, sharing tips, and posting photos.
BBC Worldwide America general manager of channels Perry Simon said:
“Teaming up with foursquare is the perfect way to connect BBC America’s 6 Nations coverage with the U.S. rugby community, and to help new viewers suffering from NFL withdrawal learn how to appreciate this great sport.”
foursquare director of business development Jonathan Crowley added:
“One of the most powerful aspects of foursquare is its ability to guide users to new experiences based on their interests. We’re thrilled to partner with BBC America to enable rugby fans to easily coordinate 6 Nations watch parties across the United States and around the globe. Rugby viewing is a very social activity, and this partnership will bring the rugby community together at some of the best viewing spots.”
For the uninitiated, the national rugby teams of England, France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy and Wales vie for the championship over seven intense weeks. France currently holds the Grand Slam title having sealed the victory and unseating previous champion, Ireland, by defeating every opponent including England in their Paris stadium packed with over 80,000 fans last March
The matches are held in London, Paris, Dublin, Rome, Edinburgh and Cardiff – with home field advantage alternating from year to year between each country’s team. The tournament has every team playing each other once (total of fifteen matches) with two points being awarded for a win, one for a draw and none for a loss.
And of course, there are no helmets or face masks – rugby is a non-stop unprotected battle that has ironically been labelled a “gentleman’s sport.” Last year, over a million people attended matches and for the first time Americans could join in the action by watching live BBC coverage on basic cable.
More 6 Nations Rugby history http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/history.php
BBC America 6 Nations schedule:
• France vs. Scotland (in Paris), Saturday, February 5, 11:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. PT
• Scotland vs. Wales (in Edinburgh), Saturday, February 12, 11:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. PT
• England vs. France (in London), Saturday, February 26, 11:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. PT
• Calcutta Cup – England versus Scotland (in London), Sunday, March 13, 10:30 a.m. ET / 7:30 a.m. PT
• Millennium Trophy – Ireland versus England (in Dublin), Saturday, March 19, 12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. PT
