This team events featured eight national teams. Great Britain, as hosts were allowed to enter a team in any event they chose, however they chose not to enter this event.[citation needed] First-round losers continued fencing bouts to determine ranking for fifth through eighth spots, while the quarter-final winners met in the semi-finals. The winners of the semi-final bouts competed for the gold medal, while the losing teams competed for the bronze.
Team events competed to a maximum of 45 touches. In the event of a tie, a one-minute playoff occurred. Should any team make a touch they would be declared the winner, however if both teams touch in the same play then there would not be any addition to the total score.