THE Power will kick the 2011 NAB Cup off with back-to-back lightning matches against Melbourne and Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Friday, February 11.

The first match will start at 8.20pm against the Demons, before a NAB Cup Showdown at 9.25pm against the Crows. Both matches will be shown on Fox Sports.

Power Football Manager Peter Rohde said the NAB Cup schedule was in line with what the club was expecting.

"It's a good result to be playing at night at that time of the year to be avoiding the heat," Rohde said.

"We're pleased to have consecutive matches and I'm sure our fans will embrace the lightning format as it's something a bit different to start the year."

With six pools of three, the teams that top their pools will automatically gain a place in the second round, while the two best-performing runners-up will also progress as wildcards.

Should the Power progress, the second round will be played on the weekend of February 25, 26 and 27. All second-round matches, along with the semi-final and grand final, will be full-length games.