There’s a big event for every major league—the NFL’s Super Bowl, MLB’s World Series, and the NHL’s Stanley Cup. But if you’re in Major League Eating (oh yeah, it’s a thing) then you’ve been prepping for Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest.
The gastronomic competition hasn’t quite been itself these past two years, thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting restrictions. But piles of steamed wieners will indeed be going down this year on July 4 at Coney Island. And you can take part in the action and maybe even win $50,000 with MaximBet Play’s Sausage Party Contest.
Just download the MaximBet Play app and predict how many hot dogs Joey Chestnut, Miki Sudo and other expert devourers will eat. It’s 100% free to play. Guess correctly and you could win a jackpot. Now, more about Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest.
The Invention of the Hot Dog
Although long associated with American cuisine (especially on July 4), the humble hot dog can trace its origins all the way back to Roman emperor Nero’s cook, Gaius—there’s a legend about an uncleaned roasted pig and intestines, but we’ll leave it at that. Spiced, ground meat-stuffed delicacies made their way to Germany eventually, where both Frankfurt and Vienna claim to be the birthplace of the modern version of the hot dog we know and love (with mustard and relish, please!). Eventually, German immigrants brought the hot dog to New York in the 1800s and began selling them from carts. Around 1915, a Polish immigrant named Nathan Handwerker opened a stand on Coney Island and his dogs became “Famous” throughout the nation.
Guide to Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest
With the exception of a few years, the contest has always been held at its original location on Coney Island. Legend has it that on July 4, 1916, four immigrants had a hot dog eating contest at the Nathan’s Famous stand. That same legend says the contest has been held every year since. That legend is total BS. A promoter for Nathan’s actually made the story up, but it was so convincing that the legend grew as news outlets like the New York Times have incorrectly and repeatedly listed 1916 as the contest’s inaugural year. Although no real “first” date has been verified for the contest, you will find winners listed for the event going as far back as 1957. This year, an estimated 35,000 competitive eating fans will hit Coney Island to watch the event live on July 4, while millions more will be catching the action at home on ESPN.
Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Champions
What’s the record for eating hot dogs at the contest, you ask? Last year, World Champion Joey Chestnut scarfed back a likely gut-wrenching new world record of 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes! On the women’s side, Michelle Lesco is the champ from 2021 with 30.75 hot dogs in 10 minutes. But this year she’s defending her title against Miki Sudo, who didn’t compete last year but in 2020 won the competition with 48.5 hot dogs. Who’ll be champ this year?
You could be a champion too with MaximBet Play’s $50,000 Sausage Party contest. Just download the MaximBet Play app and make your predictions for Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest. Predict correctly and you could win the big jackpot!