There will be a lot of hot dogs on the grill on the Fourth of July, but perhaps nowhere are they more common than Coney Island.
Coney Island has been home to the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest almost every year since 1972 at its flagship Nathan’s.
Its popularity has skyrocketed in recent years, especially thanks to two of the greatest foodies of all time.
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This photo shows the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island on July 4, 2022 in Brooklyn, New York City. (Kenna Betancourt/Getty Images)
Takeru Kobayashi has broken the world record for the most hot dogs eaten in 12 minutes, nearly doubling the previous record of 25.5.
This was the first of six consecutive titles for Kobayashi, until Joey Chestnut dethroned him in 2007.
Chestnut broke the record by eating 66 hot dogs and buns, which led to his dominant victory. He won every contest until he lost to Matt Stonie in 2015.
However, Chestnut won the title again the following year and has won every year since.
But with Chestnut not in Coney Island this year, a new champion will be crowned.
Last month, Chestnut entered into a co-branding deal with Nathan’s rival Impossible Foods. Major League Eating ruled that Chestnut cannot participate in the competition as long as it is affiliated with a Nathan’s rival.
Joey Chestnut after winning the 2021 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. (AP Photo/Brittany Newman/File)
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Even though Chesnut said he was hopeful something would work out, nothing ended up happening, which is why Chesnut isn’t in New York.
But he’ll be competing in another hot dog eating contest in El Paso, Texas, which will be livestreamed at 5 p.m. ET, about five hours after the Nathan’s competition ends.
With Chestnut out of the race, sportsbooks are projecting it to be a four-way race between Jeffrey Esper, James Webb, Nick Wherry and Patrick Bertoletti. Esper is the favorite at -110, while Webb is at +140, Wherry at +300 and Bertoletti at +600.
Joey Chestnut holds up the championship belt during a game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Ball State Cardinals at Sanford Stadium on September 9, 2023 in Athens, Georgia. (Brandon Slaughter/Images for Sports/Getty Images)
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The goal is simple: eat as many hot dogs (and buns) as you can in 10 minutes (down from 12 to 10 in 2008), and the winner wins $10,000.
Condiments, water, and other drinks are permitted to make the meal easier to eat, but no one usually opts for condiments.
The contest will be broadcast on ESPN and will begin at noon ET.
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