Liebherr crowns North American Game of Cranes champion

Liebherr USA, Co. welcomed five crane operators from the United States and Canada to its Newport News, Virginia, USA campus for the North American preliminary round of the Game of Cranes competition.

Liebherr USA, Co. hosted the preliminary Game of Cranes for North America.

Launched at Bauma 2025, Liebherr’s Game of Cranes is a multi-phase global competition designed to test mobile crane operators on precision, efficiency, and technical skill. Operators from around the world submitted videos to qualify for five regional preliminary rounds held in the USA, Brazil, Australia, Spain and Saudi Arabia. Each regional winner will advance to the world finals in Ehingen, Germany, in November 2025.

The North American contest featured five challenges, including obstacle driving, heavy lifting maneuvers and theoretical exams that tested contestants’ knowledge of Liebherr mobile cranes. Operators’ families and friends were invited to cheer them on, adding to the event’s atmosphere of camaraderie and competition.

North American winner Nick Jackman of Mountain Crane poses with Liebherr staff.

“Hosting the Game of Cranes preliminary in Newport News is a great way to showcase the dedication and skill of operators across North America,” said Arnold Burger, general manager of customer service, Mobile and Crawler Cranes, Liebherr USA, Co. “It’s more than a competition—it’s a celebration of the professionals who keep our industry moving forward.”

After a full day of competition, Nick Jackman of Mountain Crane emerged as the winner. Jackman will represent North America at the global Game of Cranes finals in Germany, where he will face off against the top operators from four other regions for the title of world’s best mobile crane operator.