Like some exhibition games

• Add a bit of spice before the competitive games start
• Like most exhibition games
• Time for an exhibition
• Continue drinking tea, heading off before serious play starts
• Spring-training period
• Not counting, in a way
• Time for a friendly game of football
• Before league games begin

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. The period before the start of a sporting season, during which players undergo training and venues are prepared vb. (context transitive English) To season in advance.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Word definitions in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
adjective EXAMPLES FROM OTHER ENTRIES ▪ preseason injuries EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS ▪ All the preseason stuff is over now. ▪ I know they had a good preseason , but the preseason games should not count more than the games late. ▪ In a preseason game against ...