In a quest to make it easier for foursquare users to earn points at events, the location-based check-in service is using data from ESPN, MovieTickets.com and Songkick to create official events. Until recently, mobile consumers could only check in at foursquare client retail locations, restaurants or bars. But that has changed with foursquare’s unveiling of check-ins for sporting events, movies and concerts.

Foursquare has inked deals with ESPN, MovieTickets.com and Songkick, a concert tracking service, that enable users to check in at events, such as a concert, football game or movie, and earn foursquare points, which consumers use to earn badges and bragging rights among fellow users. The events appear in the foursquare app a couple of hours before they start.

Once signed up to use the foursquare mobile app, consumers check in at various locations to relay their location to their acquaintances and friends who also use foursquare. Foursquare also lets consumers redeem deals at participating merchants, such as a free beverage with a minimum purchase at a café.

ESPN provides event details and information on games, such as a player’s recent performance statistics. MovieTickets.com displays within the foursquare app showtimes, movie summaries and links to buy tickets. Songkick provides concert details. Prior to the official events, foursquare users had to create their own event listings to check in, often resulting in numerous check-in possibilities for the same location.

Foursquare is only working with three companies on event deals for now, but the company is considering letting other event sponsors, merchants and individuals create official events, a spokeswoman says. Foursquare says the event check-ins currently only are available through its iPhone app, but eventually will be part of its apps for Android, HP WebOS, Windows Phone, BlackBerry and Nokia mobile devices.