- US News. Why is Joey Chestnut banned from this year's Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest?
- US News. Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Prize Money: How much could the winner make in this contest?
The Fourth of July is a holiday that offers the people of the United States plenty of options when it comes to entertainment, whether it be fireworks, pool parties, BBQs or fairs.
However, one of the biggest events on the day is Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. The event usually takes place outside the original Nathan's location in Coney Island near Brooklyn.
The contest famously had to change its tradition in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, with the event taking place in a private location.
While there are rumors the event first took place in 1916, the first official July Fourth contest took place in 1972 on Coney Island.
As per Major League Eating (MLE), the company that has managed the event since 1997, entrants must be under contract to MLE to participate. Past campions and other special MLE invitees also take part, while aspiring eaters can also qualify via preliminary contests.
During the event, participants must eat as many Nathan's Famous hot dogs in buns as they can within a 10 minute period. Each contestant is assigned their own scorekeeper who keeps track of how many hot dogs are eaten during the contest.
How much money do the hot dog eaters earn?
According to information shared with Mashed, winners of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest from both the men's and women's competitions receive a healthy sum of $10,000.
This is a great payday for ten minutes of work. The second, third, fourth, and fifth-place winners of the men's and women's competitions are also awarded for their efforts, receiving $5,000, $2,500, $1,500, and $1,000, respectively. This adds up to $40,000 in total prize money.
While Joey Chestnut is the top male champion of al time with 15 titles, he has been banned from competing after signing a marketing agreement with Impossible Foods, a rival of Nathan's.
Mike Sudo is the top female champion, winning nine titles.
Who won the women's edition of the 2024 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest?
Adding to her legacy Miki Sudo won her tenth title by setting a new woman's record, eating 51 hot dogs. That smashed her performance from last year, when she won by eating 39-and-a-half hot dogs in 10 minutes.
Mayoi Ebihara finished in second with 37 dogs, while Michelle Lesco rounded out the podium with 23.5 dogs.
Who won the men's edition of the 2024 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest?
With Joey Chestnut not competing in this year's event, Patrick Bertoletti stepped up to win the Mustard Belt. He did so by setting a personal best of 58 hot dogs.
Geoffrey Esper finished second with 53 hot dogs, while Australian James Webb came in third after consuming 52 hot dogs.