The men's C-2 500 metres event was an open-style, pairs canoeing event conducted as part of the Canoeing at the 1988 Summer Olympics program.
The top three finishers from each of the heats advanced directly to the semifinals and the remaining eight teams were relegated to the repechages.
Taking place on September 26, the top three finishers from each of the repechages advanced directly to the semifinals.
The top three finishers from each semifinal advanced to the final.
The Bulgarians false started from Lane 2 and the race had to be restarted.