National Equipment League Season 3 Kicks Off With New Events, Competitors & Channels

KENOSHA, Wis. (Sept. 12, 205) — The National Equipment League (NEL) has launched its third season with two events now available to view online, and new apps and channels launching to expand the league’s viewership.

The NEL — developed in partnership with Hyundai Construction Equipment North America — is a professional sports league built to showcase the skill and character of heavy equipment operators in the construction industry, and to showcase careers in the construction industry in an entertaining and competitive way. Originally launched in 2024, the league has now held two major tournaments and a qualifying event in the lead-up to its third “season,” which will culminate in a champion being named just before Utility Expo 2025.  

Mike “Dirt Perfect” Simon is the league’s defending champion, while longtime contractor and industry media personality Bryan Furnace was the inaugural champion in 2024. Both men return for Season Three with Chris “LetsDig18” Guins, Tom “Dirt Ninja” Gardocki, Madisen McCaulley and Mike Frey rounding out the field.  

Mike Frey earned his spot by taking second place in the “Diamond Equipment Qualifier” held at Lincoln Park Speedway in June 2025 — he took second place in that competition. First-place winner Dana Bontrager will take place in a future championship tournament. 

“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,” says NEL Commissioner Bill Elverman. “The audience and the industry have responded positively, and we’re now bringing the league to a wider global audience through Roku and Apple, and hosting bigger and better events with great partners like Hyundai.” 

The first two events of Season Three are now available for viewing on YouTube: The Owner-Operator Challenge and the Ski Loader Slalom. And now, for the first time, the NEL is available on popular streaming platforms with its own app that can be found by searching “National Equipment League” on Roku, and also on all Apple devices by searching “National Equipment League” in the Apple App Store — both for iPhones and tablets, as well as Apple TV. The first two seasons of NEL are available to binge on each platform, while each new episode of season three is being released on each platform at the same time as it debuts on YouTube.  

Each event is shot and broadcast like all 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.  

Visit equipmentleague.com.