Micro Soldering Championship
Board-level. Timed. Judged in The Octagon.
$3,500 cash
Plus the entry-fee jackpot, a WWE-style title belt, a press release and a feature on the GRE site (GRE 6.0 prize package — 7.0 to be confirmed).
$25 entry fee (GRE 6.0 price) · 24 competitors max
HOW IT WORKS.
Every industry has its experts. The Micro Soldering Championship crowns the best microsolderer in the phone repair industry, in the Octagon ring, judged by leaders in the repair space. The champion carries the title and defends it at the next Gadget Repair Expo.
- A GRE 7.0 ticket — registration does not include admission
- Able to diagnose basic board issues and do BGA work
- Attend both days
- Complete the competitor form after payment
- Bring nothing if you prefer — devices, tools and supplies are provided
Level: Level 3 tech — BGA and board-level diagnostics
- $3,500 cash prize plus the entry-fee jackpot
- WWE-style championship title belt
- Press release and blog feature on the GRE site
- Listed on the GRE Awards page as that year's champion
Judged by the repair industry
These judges ran the GRE 6.0 panel. The GRE 7.0 panel is confirmed closer to the show.
Jonathan Rincon
EZ Learning
GRE 7.0 JUDGE
Beau Dorsey
iFixNC CEO
GRE 7.0 JUDGE
Brad Broome
Repairs First Association CFO
GRE 7.0 JUDGE
Competitor Registration
Register For The Micro Soldering Championship.
Fill out the form below to claim your bench. The GRE team follows up by email to confirm your heat and everything you need to bring. A GRE 7.0 ticket is required to compete.
- Competitors must be 18 or older
- Judged live in The Octagon at Music City Center
- Nashville, TN — March 30 & 31, 2027
Questions? Email info@gadgetrepairexpo.com.
How the two days run
Format carried over from GRE 6.0. Exact Nashville devices and times are confirmed in your competitor email.
Qualifying round
Check in at the ring with the judges, collect supplies, then remove and replace a Tristar chip from an iPhone 5C onto an iPad Air 1. Judged on speed and a successful repair.
Championship final
The two fastest successful repairs from Day 1 advance. Finalists replace a charging port on an iPad Air 1 in the ring — fastest working repair is crowned champion.
Frequently asked questions
You should be comfortable replacing a charge port on an iPad Air 1 and doing BGA work. This is not a beginner bracket — you are competing against experienced microsoldering techs from across the country.
There are four ways to win
MUSIC CITY BATTLE LCD SWAP COMPETITION ($1,500 cash), GRE Smack Down ($300 cash), Cowboy Hat Competition ($300 cash). You can enter more than one.