Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Heads Back To Coney Island

BROOKLYN, NY — It wouldn't be a true New York City Fourth of July without watching the world's greatest hot dog eaters stuff their faces — in person.

The Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest will return to Coney Island this weekend for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic, which sent the eating competition to a private location without a live audience.

This year, the tradition will be held at Maimonides Park with special sections set up for vaccinated and unvaccinated fans. Organizers hope to host it at the usual location near the flagship Nathan's restaurant next year.

“It is encouraging to hold this event live for fans, who last year were unable to celebrate July 4 as they traditionally do,” said James Walker, Nathan's senior vice president of restaurants. “Next year, we hope to return to the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues, where we have held this event for decade after decade.”

The in-person return will also bring a new level of excitement given the fact that regular winner Miki Sudo, who is expecting her first child, will not compete, opening the field for a new champion, according to reports. Only Sudo and Sonya Thomas have won the event since 2011.

Here's what you need to know about this year's event:

Where:

Maimonides Park (formerly MCU Park), home of the Brooklyn Cyclones and only steps from the Nathan’s Famous flagship restaurant on Surf and Stillwell avenues.

When:

Doors will open at 10 a.m. and the event will begin at 10:45 a.m. with the introduction of the female eaters. The women’s competition begins at 11 a.m., while the men’s competition will start at 12:30 p.m.

What:

A total of 18 men and 10 women are expected to compete on July 4.

On a typical year, as many as 30,000 fans make the pilgrimage to Surf and Stillwell avenues to watch the event in person. The ESPN telecast of the contest routinely draws an audience of millions of viewers. An annual part of the event is the Nathan’s Famous donation of 100,000 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs to the Food Bank for New York City.

How:

Find tickets here.

Three sections — 11, 13 and 15 — are available for non-vaccinated people to sit in sectioned pods. Fans can use the coupon code "NATHANS1916" when buying tickets. Find more instructions here.

The event will be broadcast live on ESPN starting at 10:45 a.m.