official match; regular-season game
Used in sports contexts for a match that counts toward official standings, as opposed to a practice or exhibition game.
明日はシーズン初の公式戦だ。
Tomorrow is the first official match of the season.
公式戦では、普段より緊張する。
I get more nervous in official matches than usual.
He appeared in an official match for the first time this season.
The young player made his official-match debut.
The team has won three straight official matches.