Meet The Competitors For This Year's Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest
06-30-2021
The Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, an American holiday tradition, will be held at 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. These brave men and women are set to distinguish themselves by competing in this year's men's and women's championships.
Women's Field
Michelle Lesco, #9 in the world, Tucson, AZ
Sarah Rodriguez, #26 in the world, Seattle, WA
Larell Marie Mele, #30 in the world, Poconos Pines, PA
Sophia DeVita, #33 in the world, Abilene, TX
Kathryn Prettyman, #35 in the world, Marysville, WA
Holly Titus, #42 in the world, Indianapolis, IN
Kathryn Tesch, #44 in the world, Dorchester, WI
Jocelyn Walker #45 in the world, Sherman, TX
Kelly Wong, #47 in the world, Oakland, CA
Rene Rovtar, Basking Ridge, NJ
Julie Goldberg, Astoria, Queens, NY
Prudence DiBenedetto, Astoria, Queens, NY
Kristina Dunne-Rovtar, Flemington, NJ
Men's Field
Joey Chestnut, #1 in the world, San Jose, CA
Geoffrey Esper, #2 in the world, Oxford, MA
Darron Breeden, #3 in the world, Orange, VA
Nick Wehry, #6 in the world, Tampa, FL
Gideon Oji, #7 in the world, Zaria, Nigeria
Gordon Hazzard, #10 in the world, Nashville, TN
Steve Hammond, #12 in the world, Kirkland, WA
Derek Jacobs, #13 in the world, Vandalia, OH
George Chiger, #15 in the world, Pocono Pines, PA
Juan Rodriguez, #16 in the world, Seattle, WA
Adrian Morgan, #17 in the world, New Orleans, LA
Ronnie Hartman, #18 in the world, Depew, NY
Pablo Martinez, #21 in the world, VIsalia, CA
Derek Hendrickson, #24 in the world, Las Vegas, NV
Crazy Legs Conti, #27 in the world, NYC, NY
Erik Denmark #29 in the world, Scottsdale, AZ
Brian Dudzinski, #31 in the world, Phoenixville, PA
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.
“It is encouraging to hold this event live for fans, who last year were unable to celebrate July 4 as they traditionally do,” James Walker, Senior Vice President, Restaurants, Nathan’s Famous. “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 Nathan’s Famous contest is the crown jewel of the Fourth of July and stands as a beacon of freedom for all those who believe in American exceptionalism,” said George Shea of Major League Eating. “Joey Chestnut is a national treasure. The rock on which he stands is not a rock—it is the United States of America.”
ESPN has exclusive live broadcast rights from 10:45 am to the conclusion of the event, expected to be at 1:05 pm ET. The women’s competition coverage will begin at 11:30 am ET and will be telecast live on ESPN3 and the ESPN App. The men’s competition coverage will begin at 12:00 pm ET and will be telecast live on ESPN.
According to Major League Eating archives, the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Championship has occurred each July 4th in Coney Island, NY, since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant. MLE, the governing body of all stomach-centric sport, sanctions the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit and ensures the contests are judged professionally and that safety standards are in place at each event.
To attend the event in person, go to the link below to secure FREE tickets for the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest at Maimonides Park, 1904 Surf Avenue, Coney Island. Doors open at 10 am, concessions available
Note that proof of vaccination is no longer required, but if you prefer to sit in a socially distanced pod there are seats available in sections 11, 13, and 15. Sections 1, 2 and 3 are blocked off, as the view will be obstructed. Seats in sections 4 and 5 may not have a view of the entire stage.
Tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis and are limited.
Here’s the link!
Instructions: 1) Choose the number of tickets you are requesting. 2) Enter Coupon Code: NATHANS1916 and then click on the red checkmark 3) Select Section or Seat Map, then click OK, and a list of seating are available. (Sections 11, 13, and 15 are available for non-vaccinated people to sit in sectioned pods.) 4) Click on your selected seating section and add to cart 5) Sign Up for an account 6) Review your ticket request, accept the terms and place order
You will receive an email confirmation with your ticket and how to access the event.
If you do not receive your ticket via email, you can go back into your account, view your inventory, click on your ticket and the bar code will show. You can either print your ticket or place it on your mobile device for redemption.