The Silicon Valley 7s is slated for the first weekend in November, and it's a type of event that coaches have wanted for a long time.

For years, USA national 7s team coaches have been saying they need a warmup tournament for their players. Those tournaments are hard to find and harder still to travel to, so instead, how about having one in the USA?

United World Sports, looking for a fall event to promote, has taken on the project, and 12 national 7s teams will play at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, CA, on Nov. 4-5.

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"The response from the national teams to the Silicon Valley International 7s has been overwhelming," Silicon Valley 7s tournament director Jon Hinkin said. "This was meant to be an eight-team tournament to start, so I invited a few more than right just to make sure I could field a full tournament. Immediately, I had positive responses from everyone we asked!"

With the possibility of Avaya Stadium hosting a Major League Soccer game that weekend, the number of rugby games had to be limited. Otherwise, Hinkin said the Silicon Valley 7s could have been larger.

"The reason the responses were so positive from around the world was that the coaches and athletes all want this tournament to happen," Hinkin said. "Back when Al Caravelli was coach of the USA 7s team, he was begging for more competition and tournaments. Mike Friday is as well. Turns out everyone is for it. The timing of the Silicon Valley International 7s is such that the teams will be bringing top national teams as this is their last chance to work out any kinks in their game before the HSBC World Series begins and against the best teams in the world."

Hinkin said more countries are interested for next year, but this year's teams are Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, England, Ireland, Canada, Japan, China, Chile, and the USA.

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Whether these are the very strongest national teams remains to be seen. Some teams will probably include up-and-comers trying to make the World Series squad, but, Hinkin added, "I expect most teams will bring their top sides to compete and get used to playing with each other before Dubai. There will most certainly be some players on the field that the average fan may not be aware of and this will be their International debut but everyone has to start somewhere. How cool would it be to say you were at the tournament where the next Perry Baker was discovered?"

This is expected to be a popular event for fans, but United World Sports has also unveiled a promotion whereby rugby clubs registered with USA Rugby can get a commission for selling tickets. UWS marketing head Jeff McDowell called it a rugby version of Girl Scout cookies.

"Love that," Hinkin laughed. "We have another name for it: our Ticket Affiliate Club Program. Teams just need to take two minutes and they have the opportunity to make some good money for their club. Just go to SevensRugby.com/find-rugby-club to sign up. Once a team signs up, for every two-day ticket sold through their club link, the club receives $7.00. Most fans that will be attending the tournament are associated with a club in some way, so why not give back to your club and enjoy world class rugby at the same time? This is a very simple process and every club can reap the rewards. It's a great way to introduce new fans to the game."

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Hinkin is a big fan of Avaya Stadium and said he's excited to bring a rugby 7s tournament to the 18,000-seat home of the MLS's San Jose Earthquakes.

"When it was built, part of the thoughts actually had rugby in mind so the field fits well," he said. "The suites are all on the field/grass level and you will feel as though you are in the action. For GA tickets, there is not a bad seat in the house. I have been there for Earthquake matches and the place can get loud! There is a fantastic fan festival area in the stadium, and we will have international food options along with entertainment for the fans when they need to take a break from the action."

Some musical acts are also going to be announced soon, and the stadium also has the largest outdoor bar in North America.

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So this is a fan-friendly event as well as a rugby event. The national 7s programs playing in it, as well as the colleges in the associated college 7s tournament, will value the competition time. U.S. rugby fans will welcome the chance to see some of those stars up close.