New Favorites for Nathan’s Hot Dog Contest After Chestnut’s Ban

As the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest approaches, the event faces a significant shift in dynamics with the absence of 16-time champion Joey Chestnut. Chestnut, who has dominated the competition for nearly two decades, has been banned from this year’s contest. This decision opens the door for new contenders to make their mark. The contest will take place at Nathan’s original Coney Island location in Brooklyn, starting at noon on Thursday, a tradition that continues to draw large crowds and extensive media attention.

The frontrunner in Chestnut’s absence is Geoffrey Esper, who is currently favored with moneyline odds of -110. This betting line indicates that a $10 wager on Esper would return a payout of $9.09, reflecting a roughly 52% probability of his victory according to Bet U.S. Esper’s credentials in competitive eating are notable; he holds the record for the most hot dogs consumed in 10 minutes at 51, which is slightly higher than the 49 he managed while finishing as the runner-up to Chestnut’s 62 hot dogs last year. Esper’s impressive performance in previous contests has positioned him as the leading candidate to claim the title this year.

In addition to Esper, several other competitors are considered strong contenders. James Webb, with odds of +140, is positioned as the second most likely to win. Webb’s performance has been steadily improving, and he has proven his capabilities by setting personal bests in recent contests. Nick Wehry, listed with odds of +300, is another competitor to watch. Wehry has also demonstrated significant skill in past events, having set a personal record of 45 hot dogs last year. Patrick Bertoletti, with odds of +600, is another key player. Bertoletti’s record stands at 55 hot dogs, a mark he set back in 2009, making him a formidable competitor in this year’s contest.

In the women’s division, Miki Sudo is the clear favorite, with odds of -3333, reflecting her strong position as she aims for her 10th victory. Sudo’s dominance in the women’s contest is well-established, and her consistent performance makes her the standout competitor. Mayoi Ebihara, with odds of +700, is expected to be her closest competitor, though the odds suggest a significant gap between her and Sudo.

The prize pool for the Nathan’s contest remains substantial, with the first-place winner receiving $10,000. The second-place finisher will earn $5,000, while the third-place winner will take home $2,500. The fourth-place prize is $1,500, and the fifth-place finisher will receive $1,000. These prizes reflect the high stakes of the competition and the significant rewards for top performers.

Joey Chestnut’s exclusion from this year’s contest marks a notable change in the event’s history. Since 2007, Chestnut has been the dominant force in the Nathan’s contest, with the exception of 2015 when Matt Stonie broke his eight-year winning streak. Chestnut’s ban follows his decision to represent Impossible Foods, a plant-based food company, rather than competing directly in the hot dog contest. Major League Eating, the organization responsible for the event, cited Chestnut’s choice to align with a rival brand as the reason for his exclusion, despite their attempts to accommodate him.

While Chestnut will not be competing in Nathan’s contest, he is scheduled to face off against Takeru Kobayashi, a former six-time champion, in a separate hot dog eating competition on Labor Day. This match, which will be broadcast live on Netflix, promises to be a high-profile event, though the specific location and time have not yet been announced. The upcoming competition will offer a different venue for fans to see Chestnut in action and will likely attract considerable interest.

As the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest approaches, the absence of Joey Chestnut has set the stage for a potentially historic event. With new contenders emerging and the stakes as high as ever, the contest promises to deliver exciting moments and showcase the talents of competitive eaters from around the world.