July 4th wouldn’t feel complete without hot dogs, especially in New York City, where Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is a long-standing tradition.
After missing out in 2024 due to some sponsorship troubles, Joey Chestnut, who has won the contest 17 times, returned in 2025 to snag the title again. Last year, he devoured 70.5 hot dogs. This year, despite some legal challenges, he’s gearing up to defend his championship.
Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest: Quick Info
- When: July 4th, 10:45 AM (ET) for women, 12:00 PM (ET) for men.
- Where: Nathan’s Famous Flagship Store, Coney Island, NY.
- Channel: ESPN app for women, ESPN2 for men.
- Streaming: DIRECTV (available for trial).
Miki Sudo, the reigning women’s champion, will also be back this year. She holds the overall record in the women’s contest and is looking to secure her 12th win for the fifth year in a row.
Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest 2026 Start Time
The women’s event kicks off today, July 4, at 10:45 AM ET, followed by the men’s at 12:00 PM ET.
Which Channel Will Broadcast Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest 2026?
The women’s event will be shown on the ESPN Unlimited app, and the men’s will move to ESPN2.
How to Watch Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest 2025 for Free:
If you’re not on cable, you can still catch the contest through a live TV streaming service.
A solid choice is DIRECTV, which offers $59.99 per month with a five-day free trial and access to ESPN among other networks. If you don’t want a long-term commitment, there’s also Sling orange at $4.99 for a one-day pass, giving you 24-hour access to ESPN2. They also provide weekend and week-long passes for additional viewing time.
Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest 2026 Participants:
This year’s competition will showcase elite eaters from around the globe, including champs Chestnut and Sudo.
Men’s Contestants
- Joey Chestnut – Indianapolis, Indiana
- Patrick Bertoletti – Chicago, Illinois
- James Webb – Sydney, Australia
- Nick Wherry – Tampa, Florida
- Max Stanford – London, UK
- Gideon Oji – Stockbridge, Georgia
- Derek Hendrickson – Las Vegas, Nevada
- Radim Dvorak – Ostrava, Czech Republic
- George Chigger – Pocono Pines, Pennsylvania
- Cameron Meade – Valparaiso, Indiana
- Tanner Gray – Fort Mill, South Carolina
- Jerome Burns – Danbury, Connecticut
- Crazy Legs Conti – New York, NY
- Ynho Choi – Seoul, South Korea
Women’s Contestants
- Miki Sudo – Tampa, Florida
- Domenica Dee – Seattle, Washington
- Tandra Childress – San Francisco, California
- Katie Prettyman – Marysville, Washington
- Rene Rovtar – Basking Ridge, New Jersey
- Cherish Brown – Eden, Ohio
- Camille O’Brien – Jeffersonville, New York
- Semola Crudy – Charlotte, Michigan
- Lainey Eaton – San Diego, California
- Michelle Lesko – Tucson, Arizona
Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest 2026 Prizes:
The total prize pool is around $40,000, divided between the men’s and women’s competitions. Each winner will earn $10,000, with $5,000 for second place and $2,500 for third.
Rules for the 2026 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest:
The contest rules are straightforward, yet there are specific guidelines participants must observe.
- Each contestant has 10 minutes to eat as many hot dogs as possible.
- Competitors start with five hot dogs and a plate of buns.
- No ketchup or mustard is allowed.
- Non-alcoholic drinks are permitted, but only water will be provided; if contestants bring their own drinks, they’re limited to 13.
- Contestants can separate the hot dog from the bun but must eat an equal amount, or the lesser number will count as their score.
- Dipping of hot dogs and buns into a cup for up to 5 seconds is allowed.
- No tableware is allowed. Hot dogs can be crumbled by hand.
- Vomiting during the contest leads to disqualification.
- The participant who consumes the most hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes wins.
