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Beckham-mania descends on Wellington on Thursday. But fashion stores will be disappointed that his wife Victoria, better known as Posh Spice, is not expected to make the trip because of commitments with the Spice Girls.
Galaxy president and general manager Alexi Lalas said Beckham and the team were well-prepared for the hysteria that is sure to greet them.
They will be greeted by a powhiri organised by the Wellington City Council, before settling into the Copthorne Hotel on Oriental Bay.
On Friday the team will have a public training session at Westpac Stadium. About 10,000 school children are expected to attend, and it is believed some local schools have even closed for the day.
That evening the Galaxy will be presented to the Westpac Stadium crowd during the halftime break of the Phoenix v Adelaide A-League match.
Phoenix chief executive Tony Pignata said the team was committed to making it a contest.
"It is an exhibition game but when you take the field, players want to win. The only issue maybe at the end of the game will be who gets [Beckham's] jumper, and they'll probably have to beat the owner [Terry Serepisos] for that."
About 27,000 of the 34,500 tickets have sold, and Mr Pignata hopes at least 30,000 tickets - which range in price from $82 for the cheap seats, up to $12,000 for a corporate suite - will be sold by game-time.
A post-match press conference will be held before a glitzy, invite-only after-match party at the World Trade Centre in Victoria St.
Beckham and the team will have some down time, including most of Sunday off.
