pregame

[pree-geym]

adjective

of, relating to, or happening in the period just before a sports game: The coach was interviewed in a pregame broadcast.
noting or relating to the consumption of liquor before attending a party or other event: pregame drinking.

noun

an event or broadcast relating to and occurring just before a sports game: Thirty people attended the pregame.

verb (used with or without object), pre·gamed, pre·gam·ing.

to drink liquor before going to (a party, game, or other event): We pregamed at my house to save some money.

Origin of pregame

First recorded in 1910–15; pre- + game¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for pregame

Contemporary Examples of pregame

The Orioles didn't press, partly because they've come to believe that pregame excuses are essential to Palmer.
Will the Real Jim Palmer Please Stand Up
Tom Boswell
September 27, 2014
The Haka, a traditional Maori dance, is best known as the pregame ritual of the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team.
Cartoon Streetfights, Giant Mutant Spider Dogs, and More Viral Videos
Jack Holmes
September 7, 2014
The endgame of the war was even more poorly played than the pregame.
The Sins of the First Gulf War
Geoffrey Wawro
January 22, 2011
A pregame rally south of the Washington Monument featured drum circles and papier maché puppets.
Left-Wing Crazies Take Their Turn
John Avlon
October 2, 2010