The National Equipment League launched its third season with events available to view online, along with new apps and channels to expand viewership.
Developed in partnership with Hyundai Construction Equipment North America, the league aims to showcase the skill and character of heavy equipment operators, bringing awareness to construction industry careers in an entertaining and competitive way.
Originally launched in 2024, the league has held two major tournaments and a qualifying event in the lead-up to its third season, which will culminate in a champion being crowned just before Utility Expo 2025.
Mike Simon (Dirt Perfect) is the league’s defending champion, while contractor and industry media personality Bryan Furnace won the inaugural competition in 2024. Both return for the current competition, along with Chris Guins (LetsDig18), Tom Gardocki (Dirt Ninja), Madisen McCaulley, and Mike Frey.
“From top to bottom it’s the most competitive field we’ve had, and as the league continues to grow, we’ll bring in more competitors and events to create more opportunities for these skilled tradespeople to show off their talents and inspire future generations,” said NEL Commissioner Bill Elverman.
| Your local Bomag Americas dealer |
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| Linder Industrial Machinery |
Events are available for viewing on the National Equipment League’s YouTube channel. The NEL is also now available with its own app on Roku and through the Apple App Store.
Each event is shot and broadcast like major professional sports and brings the audience along on a roller coaster of wins, losses, emotions, strategies, and complications over the course of each challenge, Elverman said.
“I’ve said that NEL mixes the passion of mixed martial arts with the attitude of dirt track racing, and the first two seasons and our inaugural qualifying event paid off on that, all while showing the character and camaraderie that exists in the construction industry,” he added.
NEL promotional partners include Blue Diamond Attachments, Triple Crown Products, Thunder Creek Equipment, and Utility Expo 2025. Each competitor is also sponsored by a construction equipment dealer. Host sponsors for season three include Diamond Equipment (two competitors), National Equipment Dealers, Ahearn Equipment, Buck & Knobby, and Jet City Equipment.
| Your local Trimble Construction Division dealer |
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| SITECH Mid-South |
| SITECH South |
| SITECH Tri-Rivers |
Hyundai also announced that it will host the Hyundai Utility Expo Operator Challenge at Utility Expo 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky. The winner of that event will receive $1,000 and a slot in the next NEL championship event.
Qualifying will take place in Hyundai’s booth (K345). Interested participants can sign up to compete in person at the show.
“The regional and event-based qualifying structure is something we’ll leverage more to bring new blood into the tournaments and to keep growing the audience,” Elverman said. “Diamond Equipment in Indiana, for instance, has been a great partner in this, and Hyundai is already planning on something special for CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026.
“There’s an inherent competitiveness among equipment operators — they love dissecting problems, they want to know who’s better, and they love giving it their all and leaving it all out there in an effort to prove that they’re the best. We’re here to support and amplify that in the interest of growing the construction industry.”
