Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest 2024: Participants sign up ahead of annual 4th of July tradition

CONEY ISLAND, Brooklyn — The world’s best eaters weighed in ahead of Thursday’s Super Bowl of professional eating: the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Hundreds of hot dogs will be eaten and tens of thousands of people will gather at the Original Nathan’s in Coney Island for the annual Independence Day tradition.

The five participating men and 14 women were weighed in Hudson Yards on Wednesday.

This year’s men’s competition is wide open after perennial winner Joey Chestnut was disqualified from the competition for partnering with a vegan protein company.

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Chestnut won his 16th championship title at the 2023 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest by eating 62 hot dogs. He set a world record by eating 76 hot dogs at the 2021 event.

Miki Sudo, the nine-time women’s champion, will compete again.

Competitors from Queens, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Japan and Korea will also compete for the coveted Mustard Belt and bragging rights.

Watch Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4th at 12:00 p.m. on ESPN 2.

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Competitive eaters Miki Sudo and Nick Wehry talk about the upcoming Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.