Plot Synopsis

Each year since 1916 -- except for 1941, 1971, 2020 & 2021 -- Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs has hosted a Fourth-of-July Hot-Dog-Eating Contest at its flagship restaurant on Surf Avenue on Coney Island, NY. (The 2022 Contest took place back in Coney Island, returning to the iconic Nathan's Famous flagship restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues after being forced to alternate locations in 2020 and 2021 by the COVID-19 pandemic.) During this contest, competitors vie to eat the most hot dogs in a set duration of time. If there is a tie, the winning contestants then compete in an eat-off to determine a winner. The first contest, held to determine which of four European immigrants was most patriotic, was won by Irishman James Mullen, who ate 13 hot dogs in 12 minutes. Since then the contest format has changed, dropping from its original 12 minutes to 3-1/2 minutes in the 1970s, increasing to 10 minutes for the 1980s, returning to 12 minutes in 1991, and dropping back down to 10 minutes in 2008. In 2011, the women competed for a separate title for the first time. First televised by ESPN in 2003 on tape delay, ESPN (2004-2011, 2020), ESPN2 (2012, 2013, 2015 & 2017-2019), ESPNews (2014) and ESPN3 (2016) have shown the men's contest live every year since.
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The 2023 NATHAN'S HOT DOG EATING CONTEST was televised live by the ESPN family of networks, beginning at 10:45am ET/7:45am PT and continuing through the conclusion of the event at approximately 1pm ET/10am PT. This marks the 20th consecutive year ESPN has televised the event.

The women's competition coverage begins at 10:45am ET/7:45am PT and is telecast live on ESPN3. The men's competition coverage begins at Noon ET/9am PT and is telecast live on ESPN2. Again hosting the event are the duo of SportsCenter Anchor John Anderson and Major League Eating President Rich Shea for the second-straight year. On-site reporting will be Renee James.

World Champion Joey Chestnut and Top-ranked Female Miki Sudo look to defend their Mustard Belts during the 10-minute, all-you-can-eat contest. Last year, Chestnut ate 63 hot dogs and buns on the men's side, while Sudo returned to the women's competition and reclaimed the top spot after eating 40 hot dogs and buns. Chestnut set a world record by eating 76 hot dogs and buns in 2021. Sudo's record is 48.5 hot dogs and buns. During the competitions, Chestnut and Sudo will have isolation cameras on them on ESPN3. The Sudo camera will begin at 11am ET. Chestnut at 12:35pm ET. Top male and female international eaters from England, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Brazil and Australia will compete in the contest. Other notable eaters for this year's men's and women's competitions include: Nick Wehry, James Webb, Michelle Lesco, and Geoffrey Esper, among others.