These matches are held between two teams of six riders who are numbered 1 to 6. The two riders with the lowest averages in each team are the reserves and must be programmed at Nos. 5 and 6 (in any order).
The heat format is determined as follows:
| Heat | HOME TEAM | AWAY TEAM | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | Blue | White | Y/B | |
| 1: | 1 (A) | 2 (C) | 1 (B) | 2 (D) |
| 2: | 3 (B) | 4 (D) | 3 (A) | 4 (C) |
| 3: | 5 (C) | 6 (A) | 5 (B) | 6 (D) |
| 4: | 1 (C) | 2 (A) | 3 (B) | 4 (D) |
| 5: | 3 (C) | 4 (A) | 1 (D) | 2 (B) |
| 6: | 1 (B) | 5 (D) | 3 (A) | 6 (C) |
| 7: | 2 (A) | 4 (C) | 1 (B) | 5 (D) |
| 8: | 3 (D) | 6 (B) | 2 (C) | 4 (A) |
| 9: | 2 (D) | 4 (B) | 3 (C) | 6 (A) |
| 10: | 1 (C) | 5 (A) | 2 (D) | 4 (B) |
| 11: | 3 (B) | 6 (D) | 1 (A) | 5 (C) |
| 12: | 2 (B) | 4 (D) | 2 (A) | 4 (C) |
| 13: | 3 (A) | 6 (C) | 3 (D) | 6 (B) |
| 14: | 1 (D) | 5 (B) | 1 (C) | 5 (A) |
| The following heats are added for 16-heat matches: | ||||
| 15: Low | * (A) | * (C) | * (B) | * (D) |
| 16: High | * (B) | * (D) | * (A) | * (C) |
Riders take the starting gate positions indicated in parenthesis. Gate A is on the inside of the track, whilst Gate D is on the outside.
Riders Nos. 1 to 4 may have a maximum of seven rides. This includes one tactical substitute, one rider replacement and one Heat 15/16 ride.
Each reserve may have a maximum of seven rides that can be taken at any time. All exclusions count as rides, and a reserve that has been excluded may not be used in the same heat again.
All riders must have taken at least three rides by the end of Heat 14 unless declared injured. If a rider is unable to take the minimum number of rides, their place in a heat may not be taken by any other rider until this requirement is met (i.e. a team may not track a rider). For the purposes of this regulation, an exclusion for a starting infringement or exceeding the two minute time allowance only counts as a ride if the excluded rider is not replaced.
In Heats 4 to 14, a team behind by eight 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.
After Heat 14 of a 16-heat match, each team nominates their riders for the two remaining heats; the home team declaring first. Riders Nos. 1 to 4 may only be nominated as follows: Heat 15 - two lowest scorers, Heat 16 - two highest scorers. The scores from all rides are counted and bonus points are included. Team members scoring an equal number of points may be nominated for any heat where they are eligible.
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.