These matches are held between two teams of eight riders who are numbered 1 to 8. The two riders with the lowest averages in each team are the reserves and must be programmed at Nos. 7 and 8 (in any order).
The heat format is determined as follows:
| Heat | HOME TEAM | AWAY TEAM | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | Blue | White | Y/B | |
| 1: | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| 2: | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 3: | 5 | 6 | 3 | 4 |
| 4: | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 |
| 5: | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 |
| 6: | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| 7: | 5 | 6 | 1 | 2 |
| 8: | 4 | 7 | 4 | 7 |
| 9: | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| 10: | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| 11: | 6 | 8 | 6 | 8 |
| 12: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 13: | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| 14: | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 |
| 15: Nom | * | * | * | * |
The team captain winning the toss of a coin prior to the start chooses the starting gate positions for the first heat (A & C or B & D). These gate positions then alternate every heat. Gate A is on the inside of the track, whilst Gate D is on the outside.
Each reserve may have a maximum of five rides that can be taken at any time, plus an additional ride in Heat 15. All exclusions count as rides, and a reserve that has been excluded may not be used in the same heat again.
In Heats 5 to 14, a team behind by six or more points may substitute a programmed rider with any other rider in the team, provided each rider is only used as a tactical substitute once. A substitute rider takes the helmet colour and starting gate position of the replaced rider. Both riders in a heat may be substituted in this manner, provided the Referee is clearly notified which substitute replaces which rider.
Each team must nominate two riders for Heat 15; the home team declaring first.
The team scoring the greater number of points over all heats is declared the winner. When teams score an equal number of points, the match is declared a draw.