Collingwood will open the 2013 NAB Cup season with Friday night pool matches against Essendon and the Western Bulldogs on Friday 15 February.

Click here to view the full 2013 NAB Cup fixture.

The round-robin format, launched in 2011, will see the 18 clubs divided into six division for the opening round.

Each division will gather at a single venue for its round-one matches, which will be shortened lightning premiership-style games.

The Magpies will travel to Patersons Stadium for round two to take on the Eagles in a full-length match on Sunday 3 March.

Round three is a Saturday night contest against Brisbane at Etihad Stadium.

The top two teams on the competition ladder will play off in the Grand Final on the weekend of March 15-16.

The other 16 clubs will play practice matches on that weekend.

Fox Footy will exclusively broadcast a number of matches in rounds one, two and three, while the Grand Final will be broadcast live by both Fox Footy and the Seven Network.

Collingwood won its second pre-season premiership in 2011 (previous one in 1979) defeating Essendon by 22 points.  Last season the Magpies finished with two wins and two losses while Adelaide defeated West Coast in the NAB Cup Grand Final.

Collingwood's 2013 NAB Cup fixture

Round one (pool)
Friday 15 February
Eithad Stadium
6.45pm EDT
Collingwood/ Essendon/ Western Bulldogs

Round two
Sunday 3 March
Patersons Stadium
4.40pm WST
West Coast Eagles v Collingwood

Round three
Saturday 9 March
Etihad Stadium
6.40pm EDT
Collingwood v Brisbane Lions

Grand Final
Friday 15 March/ Saturday 16 March
Venue (TBC)
7.40pm EDT