As the host country, Norway automatically qualified spots to the 1994 Olympics. In 1992, however, the Norwegian Olympic Committee announced that skaters aspiring to be selected for Norway would have to finish in the top 12 at the European or World Championships. Since none met this requirement, Norway to withdraw from all the events.[2][3] Although Leslie Monod / Cédric Monod's result at the 1993 World Championships allowed Switzerland to send two pairs to the Olympics, the Swiss Olympic Association elected not to send a pair after the Monods finished 11th at the 1994 European Championships.[4]
Twelve participating teams were placed in the two groups. After playing a round-robin, the top four teams in each group advanced to the Medal Round while the last two teams competed in the consolation round for the 9th to 12th places.