The men's C-2 500 metres event was an open-style, pairs canoeing event conducted as part of the Canoeing at the 1980 Summer Olympics program.
Eleven teams entered in two heats on July 30 though one withdrew prior to the heats. The top three finishers from each of the heats advanced directly to the final and the remaining four teams were relegated to the semifinal.
A semifinal was held on August 1. The top three finishers from the semifinal advanced to the final.
The final was held on August 1.