Following its successful debut in 2025, Game of Cranes is returning: companies from around the world can once again nominate their best crane operators.
Participants will demonstrate precision, dexterity and nerves of steel in a series of demanding challenges. Community voting, evaluation by a Liebherr expert panel and five regional qualifying rounds will pave the way to the grand final in Ehingen in 2027.
With Game of Cranes, Liebherr shines a spotlight on their skills and highlights the companies behind them that invest in training and qualification. The competition seeks to identify the number one mobile crane operator in the world.
How to Take Part
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Nomination: From Oct. 1 to Nov. 13, 2026, companies can nominate their mobile crane operators for the competition via an online form. Mobile crane customers of Liebherr worldwide are eligible to participate.
Application: Nominated crane operators will receive an e-mail containing a link that allows them to upload a photo and an application video by Nov. 13, 2026. The application is considered complete once the required content has been uploaded.
Voting: All valid applications enter a public community vote. At the same time, a panel of Liebherr experts evaluates the submissions. The combined results determine the overall ranking. Whether operating a 2-axle crane or a 1,200-tonne machine, the most impressive deployment is what counts. The more votes a video receives, the better the chances of qualification.
Regional preliminary rounds: The top five crane operators in each region qualify for their respective regional event and compete on behalf of their company. At five Liebherr locations around the world, participants will face practical challenges that reflect real-life operating conditions. The winner of each regional qualifier secures a place in the international final.
Final: The five best crane operators will be invited to Ehingen (Germany) in June 2027. Whoever prevails in the disciplines of safety, dexterity and technical understanding will not only earn the title of Game of Cranes champion. The Liebherr customer they represent can also proudly claim to employ the world's best mobile crane operator.
Prize: The top three winners will receive vouchers for their companies to redeem in the Liebherr Shop. The vouchers have no expiry date and can be used across multiple purchases.
The final will take place during Liebherr's Customer Days in 2027. More than 3,000 crane enthusiasts from around the world are expected to attend and cheer on the finalists. The reigning champion, Scott White of City Lifting, will also share his experience and expertise to help crown the new number one.
This story also appears on Crane Equipment Guide.
