Can Joey Chestnut top last year’s performance?
All eyes will be on him in the 2021 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest after he ate 75 hot dogs and buns last year to break his own record for the most hot dogs eaten in a single contest. He did that behind closed doors as the event was closed to spectators due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year, he will be doing it at Maimonides Park on Coney Island in front of fans. Chestnut will be hoping to win his sixth straight Mustard Belt in the men’s competition, while the women’s competition will be crowning a new champion after Miki Sudo, winner of the past seven women’s competitions, announced that she will not be competing this year as she is expecting her first child.
Sporting News is tracking live results from the hot dog eating contest Sunday.
MORE: Watch the 2021 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on fuboTV (7-day free trial)
Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest 2021 live results, winners
12:30 p.m.: The men’s competitors are being introduced for today’s hot dog eating contest.
12:12 p.m.: Eric “Badlands” Booker won the first chug contest ahead of the start of the hot dog eating contest.
12:04 p.m.: It’s just about time for the start of the men’s competition. Will Joey Chestnut be able to break the record he set last year of 75? He’s certainly the heavy favorite to win this year.
11:51 a.m.: The official count is in, and Michelle Lesco is the 2021 Nathan’s Famous Women’s Champion.
| Finish | Eater | Hot Dogs and Buns |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michelle Lesco | 30 3/4 |
| 2 | Sarah Rodriguez | 24 |
| 3 | Larell Marie Mele | 18 3/4 |
11:48 a.m.: Lesco has won the women’s competition based on the unofficial count. She has eaten 31 hot dogs and buns with Rodriguez in second at 23.
11:47 a.m.: Final minute, Lesco is ahead at 28 with Rodriguez at 21 and Mele at 17. Katie Prettyman is the only other eater in double digits at 15.
11:46 a.m.: Lesco starting to pull away, now up with 25 over Rodriguez at 19 and Mele at 16 with two minutes remaining.
11:44 a.m.: Lesco is the first to hit 20 with just over four minutes remaining in the women’s competition.
11:43 a.m.: Halfway through the women’s competition, Lesco has 18, Rodriguez is at 15 and Mele is at 12.
11:41 a.m.: Three eaters have hit double-digits. Lesco leads at 14, Rodriguez is second with 13 and Larell Marie Mele is third at 10 with about six minutes left to go.
11:39 a.m.: Lesco finishes seven hot dogs in the first minute to take the early lead. Sarah Rodriguez not far behind.
11:37 a.m.: The women’s competition is now underway. Michelle Lesco, the world ranked No. 9 eater, is the favorite to win this year.
11:30 a.m.: The eaters set to feast in the women’s hot dog eating contest are being introduced ahead of the start of the 2021 competition.
What time is the hot dog eating contest today?
- Start time: 11:30 a.m. ET
- TV channel: ESPN/ESPN3 (TSN3/TSN4 in Canada)
- Live stream: ESPN+ | fuboTV
The women’s hot dog eating contest will start at 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday while the men’s competition will start at noon. The women’s competition will air on ESPN3 and coverage of the men’s competition will be on ESPN, according to ESPN.
Mike Golic Jr. will do the play-by-play for the broadcast. Sudo and Major League Eating’s Richard Shea will provide analysis. ESPN’s Jason Fitz will be reporting.
Hot dog eating contest TV schedule
ESPN will show replays of the eating contest Sunday and Monday on ESPN2 and ESPNews.
| Network | Date | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN2 | Sunday, July 4 | 4 p.m. |
| ESPNews | Sunday, July 4 | 6 p.m. |
| ESPNews | Monday, July 5 | 11 a.m. |
| ESPNews | Monday, July 5 | 5 p.m. |