Top competitors with gather at the Brooklyn Bridge, New York-New York Hotel & Casino for a regional hot dog eating contest. Winners of the competition, hosted by Major League Eating on April 23 at 2 p.m., will qualify to compete at the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest in Coney Island, Brooklyn where they will face reigning champions Matt Stonie and Miki Sudo.
"There is no greater anniversary than the 100th birthday of Nathan's Famous," says Major League Eating emcee Sam Barclay. "The competition at the Brooklyn Bridge will be a true test of every eater's will and skill."
Stonie, of San Jose, CA, currently holds the title of Hot Dog Eating Champion after defeating eight-time champion Joey Chestnut. Stonie downed 62 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, beating Chestnut by two full dogs. Sudo, of Las Vegas, NV, will defend her title as female champion, having consumed 38 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes in 2015.
An estimated 35,000 fans have traveled to the Coney Island competition to watch the event in person. The live telecast of the event as consistently attracted millions of viewers since ESPN first aired the contest in 2004.
Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest has occurred each July 4 since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the restaurant. Major League Eating sanctions the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog-Eating Circuit and ensures the contests are judged professionally and safely.
