Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Betting

Betting on Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest has elevated the wagering market for competitive eating over recent years. Held on the 4^th of July each year, the Hot Dog Eating Contest is the Super Bowl of competitive eating and has enjoyed a rise in popularity thanks to the expanding options to bet on it.

These days, every online sportsbook has betting odds on Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest and options are expanding every year. This is the perfect combination of sports and gluttony that you can gamble on.

Who will you bet on to eat the most hot dogs and win this year?

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest – The Rules

There are 20 participants each year in the contest. One of them will always include the previous year’s defending champion. Regional qualifiers determine most of the participants. There are also two wildcards that make the contest who did not win a regional qualifier. Major League Eating (MLE) can also invite select competitors.

Competitors compete on a raised platform with hot dogs and drinks in front of them. Any drink can be used to down the hot dogs, but most use water. Condiments, such as ketchup or mustard, are allowed but rarely used. From there, the rules are as follows:

1. Contestants must consume as many hot dogs as they can in 10 minutes.
2. Each contestant has a designated scorekeeper that keeps track of the number of hot dogs they have eaten.
3. Yellow cards can be issued for “messy eating.” A red card is issued if a contestant throws up or what is known as a “reversal of fortune.” This results in a disqualification.
4. In the event of a tie, contestants have a 5-hot-dog eat off to see who can finish the five hot dogs the fastest.

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest FORMAT

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is the most famous competitive eating event in the world. Held every July 4th, it draws thousands of bettors, spectators, and millions of viewers. The goal is simple: eat as many hot dogs as possible.

Here’s a breakdown of how the competition works:

Date & Time	Every July 4th, typically broadcast live at 12 PM ET on ESPN
Location	Coney Island, New York, outside Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs restaurant
Number of Competitors	15-20 eaters, including past champions and newcomers
Contest Duration	10 minutes to eat as many hot dogs (with buns) as possible
Key Rules	Hot dogs must be eaten with buns Dunking food in water is allowed Judges monitor for disqualifications (like vomiting)
Records	Men’s Record: 76 hot dogs (Joey Chestnut, 2021). Women’s Record: 50 hot dogs (Miki Sudo, 2020)
History	First held in 1916, Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest has become the biggest competitive eating event in the world.

Top Contenders for Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest 2025

As the 2025 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest approaches, several competitors stand out as top contenders. Here’s a look at the leading participants:

Joey Chestnut

The all-time great returns after missing 2024. He recently set a new world record, eating 83 hot dogs in 10 minutes.

Patrick Bertoletti

The 2024 champion won with 58 hot dogs in Chestnut’s absence. He’ll have to prove he can compete at that level again.

Miki Sudo

The women’s division leader, Sudo matched her world record of 51 hot dogs in 2024 and remains the heavy favorite.

Geoffrey Esper

Ranked #2 in the world, Esper finished second last year with 53 hot dogs. He’s one of the strongest challengers to Chestnut.

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Betting Odds

Bettors will never find the massive list of markets available for competitive eating as they will with more popular sports. However, as fan interest increases, so does betting interest. That means you will likely see more betting markets in the coming years, along with higher wagering limits.

Betting On The Winner Of The Hot Dog Contest

Most sportsbooks do not have futures for each eater, but every betting site will have odds on Joey Chestnut versus the field. This bet allows you to choose between Chestnut winning the contest or one of the other 19 competitors. Here is an example:

The odds are represented in moneyline odds or American odds, which will be the case if you’re betting at a sportsbook that mostly services American clients.

These odds represent the amount it takes to win $100. For instance:

• If you wanted to wager to win $100 on Joey Chestnut, you would need to bet $1,500 to win $100.
• If you wanted to bet the field, your $100 bet would return you $700 if it were to profit.

In this type of bet, there cannot be a push. There is a definitive outcome, and you will either win or lose your bet.

Betting On The Number Of Hot Dogs Eaten

You can also wager on the number of hot dogs eaten by the winner. Based on the above odds, you will likely be wagering on Joey Chestnut’s number of hot dogs eats because he’s the most likely to win.

Betting on the number of hot dogs is an over/under bet or known as a total wager. It’s a widespread bet type that is available in just about every sport.

Total Hot Dogs Eaten by Men’s Winner of Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

Bettors can wager on the number of hot dogs eaten by the winner in this market. Like our above wager, it uses moneyline odds and pushes are not possible. This bet type is straightforward. You can bet on the number of hot dogs consumed by the winner. Depending on the number eaten by the champion, you will win or lose your bet.

OVER 71.5	UNDER 71.5	BET AT
-175	+135
-175	+135

For instance, if you bet over 71.5 hot dogs at -140 odds, then the winner must eat 72 hot dogs or more for the wager to be graded as a winner. If you place a bet on under 71.5 hot dogs, then the winner must eat 71 dogs or less for the bet to cash.

More Betting Options Are Available!

Depending on the sportsbook you choose, there may be more betting options available than the ones listed above. Just about every betting site will offer identical markets to the above ones when it comes to the women’s hot dog eating contest.

Betting Strategies For Nathan’s Hot Dog Contest

Many who bet on events like competitive eating or Nathan’s Hot Dog contest are new to the world of sports betting. So, it can be a little intimidating if you’ve never bet on sports before. We’ll go over some tips for choosing a betting site to bet on the hot dog contest and some other basics tips for profiting at sports betting.

Betting Tip #1 Choose A Betting Site With Lots Of Markets

If you’re looking to bet the hot dog contest specifically, then it’s best to search around and find an online sportsbook that offers an extensive list of odds. No matter where you’re located, there is an online betting site that is available in your area.

If you’re only interested in betting the hot dog contest, then be sure that is offered at the sportsbook you’re choosing.

Betting Tip #2 Pick A Trusted Betting Site

There are many online sportsbooks to choose from, but not all of them are excellent choices for bettors. We advocate you do your own independent research before depositing, but we’re here to help. We review every sportsbook online and point bettors in the direction of the best options.

Betting Tip #3 Maximize Your Bonus

Just about every site offers sportsbook bonuses to users when they make their first deposit. If possible, you should try to maximize this bonus when making your first deposit.

For instance, if a site is offering a 50% First-Time Deposit Bonus up to $1,000, then you should deposit $2,000 to receive the full bonus.

You will need to wager on more markets than just the hot dog contest to withdraw, but it’s worth for the bonus money, which in many cases, can only be earned on your first deposit.

Betting Tip #4 Line Shopping

If possible, you should join at least two or three different sportsbooks and line shop for the best price. Even if you have a smaller bankroll, this still makes plenty of sense. Not only will you be able to get bonuses at both sites, but you will be able to always shop for the best odds on your bet.

Smaller markets like a hot dog contest will always have different more significant differences in odds than say, broader markets like betting on the NBA or NFL.

Famous Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Moments

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest has produced legendary performances and shocking upsets that continue to shape betting trends. Understanding these key moments can help bettors spot patterns and find value in future contests.

Joey Chestnut’s 76-Hot Dog Record (2021)

Chestnut set the all-time record with 76 hot dogs, proving he could exceed expectations. Bettors who took the over cashed in, while sportsbooks had to adjust future totals.

Patrick Bertoletti’s Surprise Win (2024)

With Chestnut absent due to a sponsorship dispute, Bertoletti won with just 58 hot dogs. This was one of the lowest winning totals ever.

Kobayashi vs. Chestnut Rivalry (2007)

Chestnut ended Kobayashi’s six-year reign with 66 hot dogs, marking a power shift in competitive eating. This upset changed betting markets, making Chestnut the new dominant favorite.

Miki Sudo’s 50-Hot Dog Performance (2020)

Sudo crushed the women’s record with 50 hot dogs, setting a high bar for the competition. Bettors now track whether she can break her own record each year.

Bet On Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest At These Top Gambling Sites

Competitive eating is still a niche sport so you can only find it here and there. Below are the top 3 sportsbooks with odds and markets on the Nathan’ Hotdog Eating Contest.

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Historical Records

The contest has been an annual tradition for over 100 years. There have been many records broken over the years. It does seem as new world records will be established every year the event is held. This can make it a little more robust to handicap hot dog eating contest odds.

World Record Holder – Joey Chestnut

Joey Chestnut is the Michael Jordan of competitive eating. On July 4, 2018, he ate a record-breaking 74 hot dogs, breaking his previous record of 72 dogs in 2017. Chestnut has won the Nathan’s Hot Dog contest a whopping 11 times.

As mentioned above, Chestnut has been a significant rival of Japanese competitive eater, Takeru Kobayashi.

Women’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

Before 2011, the men and women competed in the same contest. That changed in 2011 when the first Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest for Women was held. The format is the same for the women’s event. Sonya Thomas became the first Women’s champion by eating 40 hot dogs in 2011. Miki Sudo, another Japanese competitive eater, has dominated in recent years. “The Black Widow” has won the event five years straight, including downing 37 hot dogs to win the title in 2018.

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest FAQ

Can I Bet on Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest?

Yes, you can gamble on the Hot Dog Eating Contest. Most online sportsbooks offer betting odds for this competitive eating event.

You can check out our top-rated betting sites at the top of this page or read reviews of other sportsbooks to pick a safe and secure website.

Where is Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Held?

Nathan’s National Hot Dog Eating Contest is held once a year on the iconic New York location of Coney Island.

What is the Prize Money for Winning?

The total purse / prize pool for Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is $40,000. It gets distributed:

• First Place: $10,000
• Second Place: $5,000
• Third Place: $2,500
• Fourth Place: $1,500
• Fifth Place: $1,000

When is Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest?

The contest is broadcast on national TV on July 4^th.

Where Can I Watch Nathan’s National Hot Dog Eating Contest?

You can watch the contest on ESPN.

The event has gained immense popularity in recent years. ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary series is even making an episode about Kobayashi and Chestnut’s rivalry in the sport.

Who Has Won Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest?

These are the previous winners of this hot dog eating contest:

Year	Winner	Hot Dogs Eaten
2019	Joey Chestnut	71
2018	Joey Chestnut	74
2017	Joey Chestnut	72
2016	Joey Chestnut	70
2015	Matt Stonie	62