Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest 2019: TV schedule, start time, odds, records, past winners

Fireworks and patriotic colors, move aside. The Fourth of July has arrived and that means one thing, and one thing only: It’s time for the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.

The quest for the coveted Mustard Belt returns to its iconic location at Surf and Stillwell avenues on Brooklyn’s Coney Island. Major League Eating is sanctioning the contest for the 22nd time. Joey Chestnut will defend his title as MLE’s No. 1-ranked eater after downing a record 74 hot dogs in 10 minutes in 2018 to win the $10,000 top prize. It was his 11th victory in the contest.

Last year’s runner-up, Carmen Cincotti, will not be competing this year, but Matt Stonie, the last man to down more hot dogs than Chestnut, will be ready to challenge him again and reclaim his title.

Miki Sudo is back to defend her Pepto-Bismol-sponsored pink belt after eating 37 hot dogs and buns to win the women’s division, her fifth victory. Sudo’s personal best is 41 hot dogs, consumed during the 2017 contest.

Below is all the information you need on how to watch the 2019 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, as well as past winners, rules, records and what Chestnut has been eating since last Independence Day.

When is the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest?

The annual event occupies its traditional July 4 spot on the calendar this year. The women’s competition will begin at 10:45 a.m. ET, with the men following at noon ET.

How to watch the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

There’s no need to fear missing the contest. ESPN’s family of channels will air the event seven times in a 15-hour window. Live coverage of the women’s contest begins at 10:45 a.m. ET on ESPN3. Coverage of the men’s contest coverage follows on ESPN2 at noon ET. The men’s competition will also re-air on ESPN2 at 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 1 a.m. ET., and at 7 p.m. and midnight ET on ESPNEWS. You can also stream the action online at WatchESPN.com and on the WatchESPN app.

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest rules

Major League Eating and the International Federation of Competitive Eating have sanctioned the competition since 1997. These are the rules for the contest:

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest winners

Along with a fancy championship belt and a full stomach, winners of the contest also receive a $10,000 prize. The timing of the contest has varied over the years, with 10 minutes being the official duration since 2008.

What else has Joey Chestnut been eating?

An 11-time champion of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest and winner of the last three, Joey “Jaws” Chestnut was a hungry man last year. In 2018 alone, he set six food-eating records, raising his total to 49 records officially recognized by Major League Eating.

In Chestnut’s last eating contest, however, he was upset and finished second in the World Hostess Donettes Eating Championship, losing to Geoffrey Esper. Esper ate 235 mini-powdered donuts to Chestnut’s 200. Chestnut set the record last year with 257 Donettes eaten in six minutes.

Besides the Donette and hot dogs marks, Chestnut set these records last year:

Hot dog eating world record

Joey Chestnut set the record with 74 hot dogs eaten in 10 minutes last year. Miki Sudo has cruised to victory on the women’s side in each of the last four years, but the closest she has come to the women’s record is four dogs. The most hot dogs eaten by a person not named Joey Chestnut is 64, by Carmen Cincotti last year.

Men’s record

* Chestnut’s 2016 record was set at the Giant National Capital BBQ Battle just nine days before the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Women’s record

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