The Ultimate Pool Champions League was the organisation’s first televised event in 2020/21. Featuring 32 players across 11 weeks of live action on Monday nights, the competition was won by Chris Melling after he defeated fellow all-time great Michael Hill in the final. The tournament returns for a second edition in 2022 with the field extended to 64 players.

Note: UK viewers can watch on demand after 7 days, watch live on FreeSports TV or FreeSports Player.

**The Ultimate Pool Champions League was the organisation’s first televised event in 2020/21. Featuring 32 players across 11 weeks of live action on Monday nights, the competition was won by Chris Melling after he defeated fellow all-time great Michael Hill in the final. The tournament returns for a second edition in 2022 with the field extended to 64 players. It also becomes a professional ranking event** 


**Number of Players:** The 2022 edition will feature 64 players – a mixture of professionals and qualifiers. 


**Status:** Professional Ranking Event


**Format:** **Phase One (64 Players):** 16 round robin groups of four players. Each match is the first to four frames, but with a 20-minute match-clock. If a player does not reach four frames before the time expires, the score stands as the result. Players receive two points for a win, one for a draw and no points for a loss.


7th Feb 22' Champions League - Week 1

## TOURNAMENT INFORMATION

[For Champions League draws, scores and results, please visit our Live Scoring page here.](https://www.ultimatepoolgroup.com/live-scoring)

**The Ultimate Pool Champions League was the organisation’s first televised event in 2020/21. Featuring 32 players across 11 weeks of live action on Monday nights, the competition was won by Chris Melling after he defeated fellow all-time great Michael Hill in the final. The tournament returns for a second edition in 2022 with the field extended to 64 players. It also becomes a professional ranking event** 

**Tournament Sponsor:** Vinny.co.uk

**Number of Players:** The 2022 edition will feature 64 players – a mixture of professionals and qualifiers. 

**Status:** Professional Ranking Event

**Format:** **Phase One (64 Players):** 16 round robin groups of four players. Each match is the first to four frames, but with a 20-minute match-clock. If a player does not reach four frames before the time expires, the score stands as the result. Players receive two points for a win, one for a draw and no points for a loss.

At the end of all six fixtures, the top placed player will qualify for phase two. If there is a tie for top place, a 6-reds shootout will determine the winner.

If players are tied on points at the end of any group in the Champions League (phases one and two), a 6-reds shootout will determine final standings. This is also required as it is a professional ranking event and points need to be distributed.

**Phase Two (16 Players):** Four round robin groups of four players. Same format as phase one, except the group winner will qualify for Finals Night.

**Phase Three (4 Players):** Finals Night consisting of the four remaining players. There will be two knockout semi-finals followed by a final. All matches will be the best of two sets. A set is the first to four frames, but with a 20-minute match-clock. If a player does not reach four frames before the time expires, the score stands as the result. 

At the end of each set, players receive one point for a win, half a point for a draw and no points for a loss.

If the score after the two sets are completed is tied, a 6-reds shootout will determine the winner.

The Golden Break and Golden Duck are in operation throughout the Champions League.

**Dates/Venues:** The 2022 edition will take place on Monday nights at the Players Pool & Snooker Lounge in Newcastle-under-Lyme starting February 7th. 

**Qualifying Event:** Two open qualifying events took place at the end of January where players aimed to join the Ultimate Pool Professionals already in the main draw. The qualifiers were: **Guvy Gill, Jake Dylan Newlove, Marc Fleming, Lee Washbrook, Jon McAllister, Jez Graham, Karl Boyes, Andy Blurton, Stephen Ellis, Neil Brittain, Matt Cooke, Kyle Cope, Kristi Caulfield, Jason Taggart, Jack Galloway, Conor Treacy.**

**Prize Money:** The 2022 Ultimate Pool Champions League has a total prize fund of £19,600. The prize money breakdown is as follows: 
- Winner: £10,000 
- Runner-Up: £4,000 
- Semi-Finalists: £1,000 each
- 2nd Place in a Last 16 Group: £400 each
- 3rd Place in a Last 16 Group: £300 each
- 4th Place in a Last 16 Group: £200 each

**Rankings:** The Champions League forms part of the overall Ultimate Pool professional ranking event circuit. [You can find full information about the ranking points structure and the 2021 end-of-season rankings here](https://www.ultimatepoolgroup.com/tournaments/professional-rankings-2022).

**Coverage:** Extensive live television coverage on FreeSports TV in the UK and via livestream on ultimatepool.tv for those everywhere else. 

### Roll of Honour

- **Chris Melling (2021 Champion)** - unranked event
- **Stevie Dempsey (2022 Champion)** - ranked event

![ChrisMellingUPGVCLPwinner.jpg](https://cdn.ultimatepool.cloud.insysvt.com/Chris_Melling_UPGVCL_Pwinner_0952366d83.jpg)