CONEY ISLAND, Brooklyn — Celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday with a splash of competitive spirit, the Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating contest returns on Saturday. This iconic event comes in the wake of a pivotal year for the beloved frankfurter face-off and its notable participants.
Earlier this year, Nathan’s Famous was acquired by Smithfield Foods, a major player in the packaged meat industry. Adding to the drama, Joey Chestnut, the reigning men’s champion known for breaking records, faced legal troubles following an altercation at a bar in Indiana. He pled guilty to a charge of misdemeanor battery in April.
Despite these developments, the hot dog contest presses on. Both Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo are back to defend their titles in the men’s and women’s categories, aiming to extend their impressive winning streaks from last year.
In this intense competition, participants have a mere 10 minutes to devour as many hot dogs and buns as possible. Many competitors opt to soak their hot dogs in water beforehand, facilitating easier and quicker consumption.
Miki Sudo, renowned for her dominating performance, boasts an impressive record of 11 victories. She holds the women’s record for consuming an astounding 51 hot dogs.
Chestnut has taken the so-called Mustard Belt 17 times and notched the men’s record: 76 franks. He’s still on probation in the battery case but is allowed to travel outside Indiana. His lawyer has said that what happened in the bar was a misunderstanding and that Chestnut accepted responsibility for his actions.
Hot dog contest organizer Major League Eating, which oversees the Nathan’s Famous contest, said the criminal case didn’t affect Chestnut’s eligibility for the competition.
The event, which dates to 1972, is held in front of the original Nathan’s Famous’ restaurant in New York’s Coney Island.
HOW TO WATCH
If you can’t make it to Coney Island, ESPN will be airing and streaming the competition. Coverage of the women’s competition begins at 10:45 a.m. ET on ESPN+/ESPN App where the contest will be re-aired during the men’s competition.
The men’s competition airs at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN2, and will re-air on the same channel at 4 p.m. ET. ABC will simulcast coverage beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET for 30 minutes.
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