Let’s Be Frank: The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest Is Must See

It is a tradition like no other, the Super Bowl of competitive eating, it is the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. 

Joey Chestnut wins Nathan's #July4 hot dog eating contest on Coney Island for the 10th time https://t.co/hipAB03iiN pic.twitter.com/Qcg055scyi

— Reuters Pictures (@reuterspictures) July 4, 2017

On the 4th of July at noon in Coney Island and on ESPN 2, millions will be watching as some of the most impressive athletes in the world stuff their stomachs with massive amounts of hot dogs and buns at the annual Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.

One of the greatest American champions of all time, Joey “Jaws’ Chestnut will look to defend his crown and take home mustard yellow international belt number ten. His only competition figures to be Matt “The Megatoad” Stonie who upset Chestnut in 2015 and Carmen Cincotti who finished second in 2017.

Chestnut set a new record of 72 hot dogs eaten in 10 minutes at the annual contest in 2017, breaking his own record of 70 set in 2016. Chestnut will be looking to break his own record again in 2018.

If you are a gambling man or woman, the following odds are courtesy of BetOnline:

• Joey Chestnut (-500)
• Carmen Cincotti (+450)
• Matt Stonie (+700)
• The Field (+700)

In the women’s competition, Miki Sudo is the favorite coming off a four-peat in 2017 where she ate 41 hot dogs. Sudo’s main competition is Sonya Thomas who is also a three-time champ.

In 2018, 35,000 fans attended the eating contest and another 1.11 million watched ESPN’s broadcast. In addition to the live event on ESPN2, an ESPN3 camera will be focused on Joey Chestnut as he attempts to break his world record.

Coney Island visit @CitiField! Today on #Mets Plaza we had a hot dog eating contest with Nathan's Famous. pic.twitter.com/IIGlGXm8eF

— New York Mets (@Mets) June 14, 2015