The annual Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest won’t be the same this year. Joey Chestnut will not be participating in the Fourth of July event. Though, as we draw closer to the holiday. ESPN has announced that they will broadcast the event for the 21st consecutive year. They have exclusive live broadcast rights from 10:45 a.m. EST until the conclusion of the event.
According to the ESPN Press Room, the show will be hosted by Jeremy Schaap and Major League Eating President Rich Shea. The MLE is the organization that sanctions the annual event. On-site reporting will be by College Sports Play-by-Play Commentator Tiffany Greene.
Coverage of the Women’s event begins at 10:45 AM on ESPN3, where we’ll see Miki Sudo will aim to defend her Mustard Belt title. On the Men’s side the competition airs at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN2, during which we will see a new champion crowned. There will be re-airs at 5 p.m. ET and 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.
“The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest is arguably the most iconic sporting event in American history,” George Shea, chairman of Major League Eating, said in a statement. “Eaters from across the globe come to Coney Island to honor this celebration of freedom.”
The eaters come from all over the world to participate. This years notable names in the competitions include: Geoffrey Esper, Mayoi “Ebimayo” Ebihara, Nick Wehry, Michelle Lesco, James Webb and Patrick Bertoletti, among others.
During the competition itself, Sudo and Esper will have isolation cameras on them airing on ESPN3. Sudo holds the world record on the Women’s side with 48 ½ hot dogs and buns. A record that she set in 2020. The world record on the Men’s side was set by Chestnut in 2021, when he ate 76 hot dogs and buns.
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