History Of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest

Every July 4th weekend people from around the world gather at Coney Island, New York  to participate and watch the world famous Nathan’s Hot Dog eating competition. The event has not only a large audience in attendance, but ESPN broadcasts the event. Who knew that eating hot dogs quickly would become a television broadcast event that is adored by millions worldwide?

Back in 1916, rumor has it that there was hot dog eating competition between four immigrants. The winner of the hot dog eating contest was said find out which of the 4 immigrants was the most patriotic. The Nathan’s Hot Dog eating competition has been held almost every year since.

For many years the Nathan’s Hot Dog eating contest was to see who could eat the most hot dogs in 12 minutes. They have since changed the format and now the contest is only 10 minutes long.  Reigning Champion Joey Chestnut held his title for another year by eating a world record 68 hotdogs and the buns in 10 minutes. Joey Chestnut ate an average of 6.8 hot idogs and the buns per minute. This was the third year in a row that Joey Chestnut won the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog speed eating competition.

The record was only 17 hot dogs up until 1986. Since that time the number of hot dogs eaten per contestant has grown astronomically.

For an event that started between 4 friends the History of Nathan’s Hot Dog eating Contest continues to evolve. Today the event is broadcast live by ESPN and receives coverage in newspapers around the world. Not bad for a little old’ hot dog place on Coney Island.