Call it a friendly, call it a pre-season clash, call it a bit of a festival event designed to promote a multimillion-dollar football club.
Just don't call it meaningless.
There might not be much at stake in tonight's match between English Premier League giant Newcastle United and A-League club Sydney FC, but there are any number of reasons to consider giving it your patronage.
There will be good football - comfortably the best seen in Dunedin in decades - for a start.
It only took fans a few minutes at a Newcastle training session yesterday to appreciate the quantum leap in ability from local football to the top level.
Every player had a silken touch, and footballs were not so much passed as stroked along the Forsyth Barr Stadium turf.
Newcastle might not have a Wayne Rooney, a Luis Suarez or a Mario Goetze, but it is a genuine Premier League club, with a global fan base and an illustrious history, and this could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a team like it in the South.
For Newcastle manager Alan Pardew, tonight is an important occasion on many levels.
''I don't consider these games to be warm-up games,'' Pardew said yesterday.
''It's about our athletic levels, and getting a game plan that is going to suit us. And it's always good for players and staff to have new experiences at this time of year.
''It's important for us to grow our brand. We're a club that want to compete in the Champions League.
"We're trying to do it in a way that's very difficult. We're not throwing vast fortunes at transfers. We can't afford to do that.
''We're trying to bring in players we think can make that step. This year, again, we're probably as well set as we've been since I came to the club.
''We'll look at a lot of our younger players, perhaps towards the end of the game. But senior players are important because, tactically, we need to get our game plan ready for the season.''
Pardew said a couple of players were struggling with sleep patterns after the long trip from England, but otherwise his squad was in good shape.
He was impressed with the ''fantastic'' stadium, and thought the pitch looked good.
Captain Fabricio Coloccini, who has 38 caps for Argentina, has played in a covered stadium once before, at the Confederations Cup in Germany.
''It's a different experience. It's nice,'' Coloccini said.
The fans will want goals, and Newcastle has moved to strengthen its attacking end with the recent signings of French striker Emmanuel Riviere and Dutch attacker Siem de Jong.
''In the striking department, we started to look a bit needy towards the end of last year,'' Pardew said.
''Hopefully, out here, we can find a better balance between defending and attacking.
"We're known for attacking football, but at the back end of last year you wouldn't have thought that.''
Newcastle will naturally start the warm favourite, but Pardew is wary of Sydney's capabilities.
''We're very much aware of their growing stature. This tour will highlight them and Wellington in terms of their progress.
''They'll be looking to get strong results against us and West Ham. We'll show them the utmost respect, believe me.''
West Ham has a defence built around Winston Reid, and another New Zealander - striker Chris Wood - will play for Leicester in the Premier League this season.
What are the odds on Newcastle taking a Kiwi gem back to St James' Park?''You're always keeping your eyes open,'' Pardew said, smiling.
''We have signed players by playing against them before. It's always possible, for sure.''
Nearly 9000 tickets for the game had been sold by yesterday. Organisers are hoping for a big walk-up crowd to push the crowd over 10,000.
Football United
The tour begins
Who: Newcastle United v Sydney FC.
Where: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin.
When: Tonight, 7.30pm.
• Newcastle: Jak Alnwick, Rob Elliot, Freddie Woodman, Fabricio Coloccini, Massadio Haidara, Lubo Satka, Ryan Taylor, Steven Taylor, Paul Dummett, Mike Williamson, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Rolando Aarons, Mehdi Abeid, Sammy Ameobi, Vurnon Anita, Jack Colback, Siem de Jong, Cheick Tiote, Yoan Gouffran, Adam Armstrong, Adam Campbell, Ayoze Perez, Emmanuel Riviere, Haris Vuckic.
• Sydney: Ivan Necevski, Sebastian Ryall, Matthew Jurman, Nikola Petkovic, Corey Gameiro, Pedj Bojic, Bernie Ibini-Isei, Sasa Ognenovski, Terry Antonis, Peter Trantis, Nick Carle, Vedran Janjetovic, Milos Dimitrijevic, Ali Abbas, Hagi Gligor, Alex Brosque, George Timotheou, Chris Naumoff, Max Burgess, Alexander Gersbach, Themba Muata-Marlow.
Referee: Campbell-Kirk Waugh (Auckland).
Newcastle United
Three to watch
1) Siem de Jong: The classy Dutchman follows in the footsteps of his brother, Luuk. Loves the ball at his feet and scored a cracking goal on debut last week.
2) Cheick Tiote: Ivory Coast midfielder played at the World Cup and has been a commanding presence in the Newcastle team for four years.
3) Emmanuel Riviere: Always good to check out a new striker. Newcastle has high hopes pinned on French forward Riviere, who has just signed from Monaco.
