Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest 2026 TV Schedule, Live Stream, Weather, Replay Info

The United States of America has its 250th birthday today, and fans of a certain sort will kick off the day's festivities by watching Major League Eating's equivalent of the Super Bowl.

That's right, food enthusiasts! The Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating returns for another thrilling display of hot dog-guzzling glory.

As one might expect, Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo will be back to defend their titles in the men's and women's divisions, respectively. However, they'll will face some of the top challengers Major League Eating (MLE) has to offer.

Here's a look at everything you need to know about this year's edition, including scheduling, broadcast, and weather information.

2026 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Information

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Joey Chestnut wins the 2025 Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest eating 70.5 hot dogs at Coney Island on July 4, 2025

Date: Saturday, July 4

Location: Nathan's Famous Restaurant in Coney Island, Brooklyn

Women's Start Time: 10:45 a.m. ET

Men's Start Time: Noon ET

Weather Outlook: Low-to-Mid 90s, Mostly Sunny or Partly Cloudy

TV and Live Stream: ESPN2, ESPN app, ABC (simulcast coverage beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET

Replay: 4 p.m. ET on ESPN2

*Weather forecast from Weather.com

Preview (It's Gonna Be a Hot One)

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Joey Chestnut and Patrick Bertoletti compete in the 2025 Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest

For those who have never watched the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest before, here's a quick rundown of how things work.

Competitors have 10 minutes to eat as many hot dogs with buns as they can. The competitor who eats the most hot dogs (and buns!) will be declared the winner—yes, partial hot dogs will count, measured in eighths of a length.

If two or more competitors are tied when time expires, a five-dog eat-off will serve as a tiebreaker.

Chestnut is the defending champion in the men's division and also owns the men's record of 76 hot dogs eaten, which he set in 2021. Sudo is the defending women's champion and owns the women's record (51 hot dogs, 2024).

To win last year, Chestnut and Sudo ate 70.5 and 33 hot dogs, respectively. While that sounds like more than enough to give eaters the meat sweats, competitors had better prepare for some actual sweating on Saturday. According to Weather.com, temperatures are expected to reach 90 degrees by 10 a.m., nearly an hour before the women take the stage.

The reigning camps appear undaunted.

"It's hot, but I'm bringing the heat," Sudo said on Friday, per Alex Herrera of CBS Sports.

Unsurprisingly, Chestnut and Sudo are heavy favorites to win their divisions at FanDuel Sportsbook at -2500 (bet $2,500 to win $100) and -1500, respectively. Fans probably shouldn't expect an upset on Saturday, but it'll be interesting to see if challengers like Patrick Bertoletti, James Webb, Domenica Dee, and Michelle Lesco can come close.