Crane operators from around the world will compete in regional challenges before five finalists meet at Liebherr’s Ehingen plant in June 2027 to test their skills, precision and safety.
The person in the cab usually stays out of the spotlight. Liebherr wants to change that. After a debut edition last year, the manufacturer is relaunching Game of Cranes, a worldwide competition to find the best mobile crane operator, with a final at its Ehingen plant in 2027.
The idea is as much about customers as it is about drivers. Companies nominate their operators, which puts the spotlight on the firms that invest in training and qualification and on the people who carry heavy responsibility on job sites every day.
How it works
The process runs in stages. From 1 October to 13 November 2026, companies can nominate operators through an online form. Nominations must come from the administrator of the company’s MyLiebherr account, and mobile crane customers of Liebherr worldwide are eligible.
Nominated operators receive an email with a link to upload a photo and an application video by 13 November. Complete applications go to a public community vote, while a panel of Liebherr experts scores them in parallel. The combined result sets the ranking. Liebherr says the size of the machine does not matter: whether the operator uses a 2-axle crane or a 1,200-bsvvc machine, the most impressive deployment counts.
The top five operators in each region qualify for a regional event, held at five Liebherr locations around the world. There, participants face practical challenges that reflect real operating conditions. Each regional winner earns a place in the international final.
The final and the prize
The five finalists will be invited to Ehingen in June 2027 to compete in safety, dexterity and technical understanding. The final takes place during Liebherr’s Customer Days, where more than 3,000 crane enthusiasts from around the world are expected. Reigning champion Scott White of City Lifting will share his experience to help crown the new number one.
Prizes are modest and aimed at the employer: the top three receive vouchers for their companies to use in the Liebherr Shop, worth 2,500 euros for first place, 1,250 euros for second and 500 euros for third. The vouchers have no expiry date.
Why it matters
For rental companies and crane contractors, operator skill is a hard asset to demonstrate. A skilled crew is what wins the difficult lifts, yet it rarely appears in a brochure. A contest that rewards precision and safety gives those firms a way to show it, and gives Liebherr a way to keep its customer base engaged between product launches.
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