Sports Illustrated books 50 Cent, Nelly and The Chainsmokers for World Cup concert series

Hip-hop artists 50 Cent and Nelly, together with electronic duo The Chainsmokers, will top the bill on a new four-city concert run Sports Illustrated is rolling out this summer around the World Cup.

The programme, unveiled on Monday and branded “SI Beyond the Pitch,” is set to pair live shows with VIP fan experiences in Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami and New York while the global football tournament is under way.

Diplo and Gordo are also booked for the series.

The opening night lands on June 12 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, with Nelly leading the line-up.

Dallas follows on June 20 at SILO with Gordo on the bill, and Miami takes a turn on June 26 at DAER with The Chainsmokers.

The run closes on July 18 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York, where 50 Cent and Diplo are scheduled to perform.

Sports Illustrated is pitching the series as one of its largest moves yet into live entertainment and hands-on fan events around major sporting moments.