And the Crows aren't happy about it.
Both South Australian clubs had lobbied the AFL to host the opening game at the new stadium, which is certain to draw a capacity crowd.
However AFL scheduling manager Simon Lethlean said the League had chosen Port to "maximize attendances" across both Showdowns in 2014.
Adelaide CEO Steven Trigg said the Crows were "really disappointed" with the League's decision.
But in a statement released on Friday he said he could understand the decision, claiming the rights to the opening game at Adelaide Oval was Port's only hope of achieving a sell-out Showdown.
“Port’s Showdowns don’t sell-out, so this is a chance for the AFL to maximize the returns with a full house," Trigg said.
“I suppose the AFL understands that an Adelaide Football Club home game for the opening would have definitely sold out.
“We were the first AFL team in South Australia, we have the clear majority of support in this state, so to have the first game for our fans would have been fantastic."
Port Adelaide CEO Keith Thomas told the Power's website club earned the right to host the Showdown after a sensational 2013 campaign.
The club rocketed up the ladder and into a semi-final, which it narrowly lost to Geelong.
"The AFL is very clear that on field performance is an important consideration when it comes to the fixture,” Thomas said.
"We accepted that when things were tough last year, just as we will gratefully accept the privilege of hosting the first ever Showdown, and game at the new Adelaide Oval next year."
And while Crows chief operating officer Nigel Smart took to Twitter to decry the AFL's decision, Thomas claimed any football supporter would embrace it.
Would have loved the first home game at Adelaide Oval - the @AFL have made their decision with most South Australians now disappointed
— Nigel Smart (@Nigel_Smart) October 18, 2013
AFL.com.au understands the Showdown will be a twilight match, but exactly when it will be played remains unknown.
Adelaide Oval isn’t expected to be ready for football until late March, meaning the opening game for the stadium will have to wait until at least round two.
A bumper crowd of 45,127 attended the Power's round 23 game against Carlton this year, their last at AAMI Stadium.
That figure was almost 10,000 more than the Crows attracted to their final game at the same ground, in round 22 against Melbourne.
“It was the AFL’s view that both SA teams must play in the first match at Adelaide Oval after the exceptional redevelopment work undertaken by the South Australian government,” Lethlean said in a statement released on Friday.
“The AFL has determined that Port Adelaide should host the game, so as to maximise attendances across both Showdown matches in the 2014 premiership season.”
Twitter: @AFL_Harry
