The Ultimate Pool Pairs Cup returns to screens this Monday evening with defending champions Shaun Chipperfield & Karl Sutton featuring in the opening week.

Once again, the world’s top 8-ball pool stars will partner up for Pairs Cup glory as 64 two-player teams aim to run the unique 21-week gauntlet.

Chipperfield & Sutton won the inaugural edition of the Pairs Cup back in January when they ousted Declan Brennan & Ronan McCarthy via a dramatic 6-red shootout in the final. The duo will begin their title defence against Zac Cooper & Lee Hammersley, Matt Barcock & Wayne Gardner and Andy Barker & Kev Sutton.

For details on the format, visit here.

Several other big-name combinations will play again in the event, including the return of four-time world champion Gareth Potts & four-time world snooker champion Mark Selby, who won the 2006 WEPF World 8-Ball Pool Championship.

The pair won an opening phase group last year after coming through the first-ever three-way 6-red shootout before withdrawing from the last 16 due to personal reasons.

Runners-up Brennan & McCarthy are back, as too are Michael Hill & Phil Harrison and Shane Thompson & Tom Cousins.

Two more eyebrow-raising pairs include Chris Melling & Jordan Shepherd and Jake McCartney & Karl Boyes.

Selby isn’t the only well-known name from the snooker world to take part – former Shanghai Masters and Gydnia Open finalist Jamie Burnett will team up with fellow Scotsman Scott Gillespie.

The full draw, schedule and list of pairs can be viewed under the Live Scoring tab.

You can watch action from the 2022 Ultimate Pool Pairs Cup every Monday night on FreeSports and ultimatepool.tv.

Sign up and become a UPTV subscriber here.