Everything you need to know about the 2026 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest
America’s most delicious Fourth of July tradition returns Saturday morning as the world’s top competitive eaters descend upon Coney Island looking to capture the coveted Mustard Belt.
The 2026 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest marks the 250th anniversary of American independence and features the return of 17-time champion Joey Chestnut, who once again enters as the overwhelming favorite in the men’s competition. The women’s championship also returns with 11-time champion Miki Sudo defending her title.
Event information
Event: Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest
Date: Saturday, July 4
Location: Original Nathan’s Famous Restaurant
Address: Surf and Stillwell avenues, Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York
Pre-show festivities begin at 9:50 a.m. EDT.
Women’s Championship: 11 a.m. EDT
Men’s Championship: 12:30 p.m. EDT.
TV and streaming
TV: ESPN2 (men’s competition), ABC (simulcast beginning at 12:30 p.m.)
Women’s live coverage: ESPN App/ESPN digital platforms
Streaming: ESPN App and ESPN.com, including dedicated camera feeds following Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo.
Radio
There is no official national radio broadcast. Live television and streaming remain the primary viewing options.
Weather
Forecasts call for warm, humid conditions in Brooklyn with temperatures climbing into the 80s during the competition and only a slight chance of afternoon showers after the event concludes. Competitors will once again battle both the hot dogs and the summer heat.
Betting odds
Men’s winner
- Joey Chestnut: approximately -2000
- Patrick Bertoletti: +800
- James Webb: +3000
- Geoffrey Esper: +4000
- Nick Wehry: +5000
Women’s winner
- Miki Sudo: approximately -1600
Odds vary by sportsbook and are subject to change.
Men’s field
Among the notable competitors scheduled to compete:
- Joey Chestnut
- Patrick Bertoletti
- James Webb
- Geoffrey Esper
- Nick Wehry
- Max Stanford
- Derek Hendrickson
- Gideon Oji
- Radim Dvoracek
- Yunho Choi
- Crazy Legs Conti
- George Chiger
- Jerome Burns
- Cameron Meade
- Tanner Gray
Women’s field
The women’s championship is headlined by:
- Miki Sudo
- Tandra Childress
- A field of Major League Eating qualifiers competing for the Pink Belt.
Can anyone beat Joey Chestnut?
Anything is possible in sports, but history suggests otherwise.
Chestnut has won 17 Nathan’s Famous championships, owns the contest record with 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, and enters Saturday as one of the biggest betting favorites in any sporting event this weekend.
Patrick Bertoletti won the 2024 title while Chestnut was absent, but Chestnut reclaimed the Mustard Belt in 2025 with 70.5 hot dogs and remains the man to beat.
How the contest works
Competitors have 10 minutes to consume as many Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and buns as possible.
For a hot dog to count:
- Both the hot dog and the bun must be eaten.
- Contestants often dunk buns in water to make them easier to swallow.
- Hot dogs still in a competitor’s mouth when time expires count only if they are completely swallowed immediately after the final horn.
- Partially eaten hot dogs can receive fractional credit from official judges.
- Vomiting—officially called a “reversal of fortune”—results in immediate disqualification.
- If competitors tie for first, they advance to an eat-off to determine the champion.
Fun facts
- The contest has been held annually on the Fourth of July since 1972.
- Joey Chestnut owns the men’s world record with 76 hot dogs and buns.
- Miki Sudo owns the women’s world record with 51 hot dogs and buns.
- Winners receive the famous Mustard Belt (men) and Pink Belt (women).
- ESPN is broadcasting the event for the 23rd consecutive year.
- The contest is sanctioned by Major League Eating and routinely attracts competitors from around the world.
Prediction
Until someone proves otherwise, picking against Joey Chestnut is simply bad business.
Patrick Bertoletti, James Webb and Geoffrey Esper should make things interesting, but Chestnut remains the gold standard in competitive eating and has shown little sign of slowing down.
On the women’s side, Miki Sudo is equally dominant and enters as a heavy favorite to defend her title.
Prediction: Joey Chestnut captures his 18th Mustard Belt, while Miki Sudo adds another Pink Belt to her legendary résumé.
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