Watch Joey Chestnut Compete in 2026 Nathan’s Hot Dog Contest
The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest will be held on Saturday, July 4 at Coney Island, New York. The event, which is part of the July 4 celebrations, opens at 10 am and runs for ten minutes, during which competitors attempt to consume the most hot dogs.
Participants must be contracted with Major League Eating and are required to qualify through regional events. Buns may be soaked in water to facilitate swallowing, and partially finished hot dogs are scored in eighths. Consumption is allowed to continue after the timer stops, but contestants can be penalized for messy eating or vomiting.
Joey Chestnut, age 42, is the favorite on the men’s side. The 18‑time champion has won the contest 17 of 20 times and aims to secure a second straight title. Miki Sudo, 11‑time women’s champion, holds the record with 51 hot dogs and seeks to defend her title.
Other notable entrants include Patrick Bertoletti of Chicago, who won the 2024 contest and finished runner‑up in 2025, and James Webb of Australia, who was third in 2025. Arizona’s Michelle Lesco also returned as a competitor.
Broadcast coverage begins at 10:45 am ET for the women’s contest on the ESPN app. The men’s race airs at 12:00 pm ET on ESPN2 and is simulcast on ABC at 12:30 pm ET, with both events streamed on ESPN.com and on the app.
The winner receives $10,000 and the Mustard Belt, a championship belt emblazoned with the Nathan’s logo. Joey Chestnut recently added a world burrito eating championship title to his résumé in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.