Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest 2026: Record, time and how to watch as Joey Chestnut goes for another win

· Yahoo Sports

When the founders of the United States signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776, could they have pictured it would have resulted in this? Some may celebrate July 4 with patriotism, fireworks and barbecue. Others simply turn on the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest and watch the competitors shove hot dog after hot dog down their gullet.

Visit afsport.lat for more information.

The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest returns in 2026 — because of course it does — and all eyes will once again be on Joey Chestnut. The veteran competitive eater has dominated the event over his career, and proved he was still at the top of his game in 2025 after he was banned from the event in 2024 over a sponsorship disagreement.

As Chestnut prepares his body and mind to consume 70+ hot dogs in 10 minutes, here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.

The 2026 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest will get underway at 10:45 a.m. ET. That's when the women will take the stage for the women's portion of the contest. Chestnut, and the men, will take the stage at 12 p.m. ET.

Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is always held July 4, and typically takes place near the original Nathan's store in Coney Island. Competitors have 10 minutes to eat as many hot dogs as possible.

Unsurprisingly, Chestnut holds the all-time record after he consumed 76 hot dogs at the event in 2021. Chestnut essentially dominates the leaderboard on the men's side, and has eaten at least 70 hot dogs at the event six times. The best winning performance by a contestant other than Chestnut came in 2015, when Matt Stonie ate 62 hot dogs to upset Chestnut.

On the women's side, Miki Sudo set the record with 51 hot dogs consumed in 2024. Sudo is the Chestnut equivalent on the women's side. Sudo has won the women's portion of the event all but one year since 2014.

Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest started in 1972, per Nathan's website. Jason Schechter won the first official competition on the men's side, eating 14 hot dogs.

Chestnut may own the Nathan's record with 76 hot dogs, but that's not his career-best. After being banned from Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in 2024, Chestnut held his own hot-dog eating competition with former rival Takeru Kobayashi. The competition — which aired on Netflix — saw Chestnut eat a record 83 hot dogs.

Chestnut has never broken 80 hot dogs at the Nathan's event, so he’s got a reason to keep pushing himself during the event.

Chestnut holds the record with 17 wins at Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. His next closest competitor, Kobayashi, won the event six times.

Last year marked Chestnut’s return to the event. Following a one-year ban over a sponsorship issue, Chestnut participated in the 2025 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest and picked up yet another win. He took down 70.5 hot dogs, beating his next closest competitor by 24 hot dogs.

One the women’s side, Miki Sudo once again took home the win. She ate 33 hot dogs, a drop off compared to her previous highs. She’ll look to get back on track in 2026 as she seeks her 12th win at the event.

Chestnut’s participation in the 2026 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest was briefly in question after it was revealed he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery in May. Chestnut was accused of slapping another patron at a bar. Chestnut told police he was “pretty drunk and didn't remember” the altercation. Chestnut said the slap was misinterpreted or that the patron must have said something to anger Chestnut.

Chestnut’s attorney said the eater "took full responsibility for this misunderstanding."

While Chestnut will still be on probation during the 2026 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, he’ll still be allowed to participate. Shortly after Chestnut’s guilty plea was reported, Nathan’s said he would not be punished or banned from the event.

As you might expect, Chestnut is a heavy favorite. So heavy that a $25 bet would only return $1. His next closest competitor, Patrick Bertolli is going off at 11-1.

A prize pool of roughly $40,000 is split between the men's and women's event. Last year, ESPN reported the winner of each portion of the event receives $10,000. Second place gets $5,000 and third place receives $2,500.

The 2026 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest will air on multiple ESPN/ABC channels. The women's contest, which will begin at 10:45 a.m., will air on the ESPN App. It will also replay during the men’s competition.

Coverage of the men’s event will begin at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN2. The competition will simulcast on ABC at 12:30 p.m. ET.

Chestnut and Sudo will have dedicated cameras on them at all times during the competition.

Read full story at source