The National Equipment Operator Championships, spearheaded by NUCA, will bring together skilled operators from across the country to compete in a series of hands-on events designed to test precision, control, and safety in utility-related tasks. Events will include crowd-pleasing games like hole-in-one putting, soccer, cornhole, and a pipe placement challenge. All games are performed using construction equipment.
The competition will span two days, with qualifying rounds at the Utility Expo on October 8, 2025, and the championship prize awarded on Thursday, October 9, 2025. Participants will rotate in a bracket-style format. Finalists will be ranked by cumulative points and time, with a sudden-death round and time extension used in the event of a tie. Prizes will be awarded to first, second-, and third-place finishers.
Participants will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the equipment and event configuration on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, during open practice hours. Official judging will be provided, and safety guidelines will be strictly enforced. NUCA and The Utility Expo will work closely to ensure liability coverage and operator oversight.
"This partnership with NUCA adds an exciting and interactive new dimension to The Utility Expo Experience," said Brianne Somers, show director of The Utility Expo. "Our industry thrives on skill, ingenuity, and community, and these championships put all three front and center. It's a great way to celebrate our workforce, recognize operator mastery, and give attendees a real sense of what utility professionals do every day."
"Competition can be fun in the construction industry, and The Utility Expo is an exciting opportunity for NUCA and AEM to come together for a challenging, safe, and enjoyable event that showcases the skills of operators," said Ed DeNeale, NUCA director of safety. "We will have some of the best equipment operators in the United States competing for the top prize-more importantly, bragging rights. We're really pleased to have the opportunity to bring something different to this well-known show."
