The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is a popular event held on Coney Island every Fourth of July since 1972. The competition has gained immense popularity over the years, thanks to the impressive feats of competitive eaters like Takeru Kobayashi and Joey Chestnut.
Kobayashi made history by breaking the world record for most hot dogs eaten in 12 minutes, setting the stage for a dominant run. However, Chestnut dethroned him in 2007 and went on to win multiple titles consecutively, solidifying his status as one of the greatest competitive eaters of all time.
This year, fans will be disappointed to learn that Chestnut will not be competing in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest due to a brand partnership deal with Impossible Foods, a rival of Nathan’s. As a result, Major League Eating ruled that Chestnut would not be allowed to participate in the competition.
Despite Chestnut’s absence, the show must go on, with other competitive eaters like Geoffrey Esper, James Webb, Nick Wehry, and Patrick Bertoletti vying for the title. The competition promises to be fierce, with Esper being the favorite to win.
The rules of the contest are simple: eat as many hot dogs and buns as possible in 10 minutes. The winner will walk away with a $10,000 prize. Condiments, water, and other beverages are allowed to aid in the eating process, although most contestants prefer to eat the hot dogs plain.
While fans may miss seeing Chestnut in action this year, they can still catch the excitement of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on ESPN, with the competition kicking off at noon ET. Additionally, Chestnut will be competing in another hot dog eating contest in El Paso, Texas, which will be live-streamed later in the day.
Overall, the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest promises to be a thrilling event, showcasing the incredible talents of competitive eaters from around the world. Fans can tune in to witness the action-packed competition and cheer on their favorite contenders as they battle it out for hot dog eating glory.