Nathan's Circuit Announced

Host cities for of the 2006 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit have been determined. As in years past, each host city will send one champion to compete in Coney Island at the Annual Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest, which will appear live on ESPN on July 4, 2006.

The circuit will begin in mid-April, with the bulk of the events occurring in June. Additonal info is available by visting www.nathansfamous.com. Hopeful participants should not pick up their telephones as all registration will be handled via the Internet.

In 2005, rookie Joey Chestnut competed in the Bay Area, securing a berth in the Nathan’s Championship where he stunned fans worldwide by eating 32 HDBs and placing third behind Sonya Thomas and Kobayashi.

The Nathan’s Famous International Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Championship has been held each year on July 4 since 1916, according to archives. For the past five years, Takeru Kobayashi of Japan has won the Fourth of July contest. Kobayashi holds the world record with 53 and ½ Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes.

2006 Hot Dog Circuit

April 15, Southern Regional, Florida Panthers, Sunrise, FL May 18 Midwest Regional, NY, NY Casino, Las Vegas, NV May 20 New England Regional, Nathan's, E. Hartford, CT

May 27 Memorial Day Regional, Independence Mall, Philadelphia, PA

June 4 Southwest Regional, Arizona Mills Mall, Tempe, AZ June 10 Mid Atlantic Regional, MacArthur Center Mall,Norfolk, VA June 17 Northern Regional, Mall of America, Bloomington, MN June 18 Regional Qualifier, NY Mets-Shea, Queens, NY June 23 New Jersey Regional, Molly Pitcher Travel Plaza, Cranbury, NJ June 24 Northwest Regional, Century Theaters, San Francisco, CA
June 24 NY Metro Regional, Long Island Ducks Stadium, Central Islip, NY
June 24 Southeast Regional, Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta, GA June 27 NY Civil Service Regional, South Street Seaport, NY July 3 Weigh-In, City Hall, New York, NY July 4 International Hot Dog Eating Contest, Coney Island, NY