These matches are held between two teams of either seven or eight riders who are numbered 1 to 8 when riding away, and 9 to 16 when riding at home. Each team must programme two junior riders at Nos. 6/14 and 7/15, and may nominate a non-programmed reserve at No. 8/16 without any restrictions.
The heat format is determined as follows:
| Heat | HOME TEAM | AWAY TEAM | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | Blue | Y/B | White | |
| 1: | 9 (B) | 10 (D) | 1 (A) | 2 (C) |
| 2: | 11 (B) | 12 (D) | 3 (A) | 4 (C) |
| 3: | 13 (A) | 14 (C) | 5 (B) | 6 (D) |
| 4: | 11 (C) | 15 (A) | 3 (D) | 7 (B) |
| 5: | 13 (C) | 10 (A) | 5 (D) | 2 (B) |
| 6: | 9 (C) | 12 (A) | 1 (D) | 4 (B) |
| 7: | 14 (B) | 15 (D) | 6 (A) | 7 (C) |
| 8: | 11 (A) | 12 (C) | 1 (B) | 2 (D) |
| 9: | 9 (A) | 10 (C) | 3 (B) | 4 (D) |
| 10: | 11 (D) | 15 (B) | 5 (A) | 6 (C) |
| 11: | 13 (B) | 14 (D) | 3 (C) | 7 (A) |
| 12: | 9 (D) | 12 (B) | 5 (C) | 2 (A) |
| 13: | 13 (D) | 10 (B) | 1 (C) | 4 (A) |
| 14: Nom | * (A) | * (C) | * (B) | * (D) |
| 15: Top | * (B) | * (D) | * (A) | * (C) |
Riders take the starting gate position indicated in parenthesis. Gate A is on the inside of the track, whilst Gate D is on the outside.
All riders may have a maximum of six rides. This includes one tactical substitute and one Heat 14/15 ride. Rider Nos. 6/14 and 7/15 may also take an additional ride as a reserve.
A reserve may have a maximum of six rides that can be taken at any time; except they may only replace Rider Nos. 6/14 and 7/15 if they also have junior status, or if those riders sustain an injury in a heat from which they were not excluded.
Riders excluded for starting infringements or exceeding the two minute time allowance may not be replaced.
In Heats 4 to 6 and 8 to 13, 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. In addition, Rider Nos. 6/14 and 7/15 may not be substituted at any time. 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 may nominate any two riders for Heat 14, except those participating in Heat 15.
The two highest scoring riders in each team (reserves excepted) may only ride in Heat 15. The scores from all rides are counted, but bonus points are not included. A rider in this heat may only be replaced by a reserve except when declared injured. In this event, any rider that has not taken part in Heat 14 may be used instead.
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.