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The inaugural Manchester Sevens at Macclesfield RFC from July 10/12 promises to be one of the biggest weekend rugby jamborees ever staged in the north of England.

While a series of sevens competitions are at the core of the three-day festival’s rugby content, the event offers so much more fun for all age groups.

The Legends Cup on Friday evening (5pm) provides a festive launch to proceedings before the International Invitation Cup raises the competitive bar as teams compete for a record £6,000 prize money.

The high quality field is arguably one of the strongest to be seen in Europe this summer with the likes of Sale Sharks, Akuma Scorpions, British Army, Samurai International, and Elite ID all headed North.

Former England Sevens star Ben Foden enters his Mighty Minnows side and has promised to bring some big names along. Les Bleus, a feeder team to the French national side, are also on show and will be tough to beat having had some success in some big tournaments thus far this season. Also travelling from the continent is Portugal’s oldest club, SLB Rugby, who are looking to bring members of the much improved Portugal side who has enjoyed success on the IRB World Sevens Series upsetting some big names.

The tier below the main cup is the Kit Team Cup seeing the likes of Pink Indians, West Country Cavaliers, Ruck U Spartans, Kamikaze, and a Gondorians side all considerably adding to the strength of the event.

With three other tournaments – including a 16-team Ladies Cup - providing non-stop rugby entertainment for the sevens devotee, the sporting side of the business is handsomely catered for.

But what will make the Manchester event such a spectacular newcomer to the northern social rugby scene is the extent of the back-up activity which combines to provide an extraordinary package.

For patrons keen to savour every moment, there will be camping facilities to ensure a major party occasion, while for the 100 rugby teams taking part and their supporters and friends, there will be huge beverage and party marquees; large TV Screens, fancy dress, prizes and live bands. The Sky Sports cameras will also be down following Will Greenwood and Scott Quinnell, who have been putting young men from disadvantage backgrounds through their paces on the rugby field, and have entered a team at the MR7s. A special School of Hard Knocks Kids Camp is also going to be part of the fun. An expected audience of up to 12,000 spectators and players over the weekend is hoped to be generated.

There will also be a major charity component to proceedings, supporting two great rugby associated charities – Wooden Spoon and SOS Kit Aid – both set to benefit from the event. With a three-day ticket priced at £10, the first Manchester Sevens is set to be a 'Bthere' event in every sense of the term.

UR7s will be providing in depth coverage from the inaugural Manchester Rugby Sevens on the weekend of July 11th-12th.