All articles tagged with #hot dog eating contest
Joey Chestnut won his 18th Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest in Coney Island, downing 66 hot dogs in scorching heat to claim the Mustard Yellow Belt and $10,000, with Patrick Bertoletti finishing second at 51 and Miki Sudo taking the women’s title with 38.75.
Joey Chestnut won his 18th Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest title at Coney Island, devouring 66 hot dogs in 10 minutes in near-100-degree heat, narrowly missing his 76-record pace; Miki Sudo claimed the women’s crown for the 12th straight time with 38.75 hot dogs as the heat challenged both contests. Chestnut, unbeaten since 2015, had returned from a 2024 ban over an endorsement dispute and remains the event’s dominant figure.
Joey Chestnut, the sport’s dominant figure, returns to Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest aiming for his 18th title in 19 attempts at the Fourth of July America 250 celebration, after a 2024 sponsorship ban and a 2025 comeback win of 70.5 dogs. The piece tracks his storied career, including battles with rivals like Takeru Kobayashi and Matt Stonie, a 2022 protest interruption, and a 2026 battery-related probation that briefly threatened his eligibility, while noting his all-time record of 74–76 at various points, currently 76 set in 2021.
Joey Chestnut aims for his 18th Mustard Belt at Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest 2026 in Coney Island after a 2025 comeback, while Miki Sudo captures her 12th women’s title with 38.75 dogs (Lesco 22, Domenica Dee 21.5); the event kicks off July 4 with the women at 10:45 a.m. ET and the men at noon, airing on ESPN2 and the ESPN app, with live updates and odds highlighting Chestnut as the heavy favorite.
Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest returns on July 4, 2026 at Coney Island with defending champions Joey Chestnut (men) and Miki Sudo (women). Women start at 10:45 a.m. ET, men at noon ET; coverage on ESPN2, the ESPN app, and ABC (simulcast from 12:30 p.m. ET), with a 4 p.m. ET replay on ESPN2. The forecast calls for near-90s heat, Chestnut’s 76-dog and Sudo’s 51-dog records still standing, and challengers like Patrick Bertoletti, James Webb, Domenica Dee, and Michelle Lesco looking to challenge. If tied at the end of 10 minutes, a five-dog eat-off decides the winner.
Joey Chestnut pleaded guilty in Indiana to a Class B misdemeanor battery for a March bar fight, receiving 180 days of probation. He was granted travel outside Indiana, allowing him to come to Coney Island to defend his Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Mustard Belt this July while on probation, with his attorney calling the outcome an isolated misunderstanding.
Joey Chestnut won his 17th Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest after returning from a dispute with organizers, consuming 70.5 hot dogs, while Miki Sudo secured her 11th women's title.
Two people were injured by a lightning strike near the iconic Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, New York, as strong thunderstorms with frequent lightning swept through the area. The contest was delayed for two hours but eventually resumed, with Joey Chestnut winning his 16th title. Heavy rains also prompted flood watches and warnings in the New York City to Boston area.
This 4th of July, viewers can enjoy a variety of TV programs including Macy's annual fireworks spectacular, the hot dog eating contest featuring Joey Chestnut, and a lineup of marathons such as The Twilight Zone, MCU movies, Rocky, The Hangover, Lethal Weapon, and Final Destination. Other highlights include musical performances on A Capitol Fourth and Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular, as well as the classic film Independence Day.
The legendary origin story of the Nathan's hot dog eating contest, which claimed to have started in 1916, has been revealed as a myth. The story was invented by press agents in the 1970s to hype up the event, and there is no evidence of the contest before that time. The details of how the competition actually began remain unclear, with conflicting accounts from different sources. Despite the debunking of the origin story, the annual hot dog eating contest in Coney Island has become a popular tradition, attracting thousands of spectators and raising money for charity.
Massachusetts native Geoff Esper, the second-ranked eater in the world, will once again compete against world record holder Joey Chestnut in the annual Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest. Esper, who has finished second to Chestnut in previous years, hopes to beat his personal best of 50 hot dogs. Despite not expecting to win, Esper aims to give his best performance. He holds various competitive eating records and follows a strict diet to manage his weight.
Joey Chestnut is preparing to defend his title as the hot dog eating champion at Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island. Last year, he consumed 63 hot dogs and buns, totaling 18,900 calories, while setting a record of 76 hot dogs and buns in 2021, reaching a whopping 22,800 calories. Competitive eaters like Chestnut stretch and relax their stomachs to fit in more food, but the side effects can include nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and even more serious complications like choking or stomach rupture. Major League Eating ensures safety standards at their events, including having medical professionals present.