CNN –
Thousands of people will gather in Coney Island on Tuesday to watch competing eaters devour mounds of sausages and buns in the annual Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest.
Contestants have only 10 minutes to devour as many sausages as possible and earn hot dog glory. The Fourth of July tradition has developed a cult following and millions are expected to tune in to see it on ESPN. Here you will find everything you need to know about the big sausage competition.
The up-and-coming hot dog champions will compete at the flagship restaurant, Nathan’s Famous, on the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island on the outskirts of South Brooklyn, New York City.
According to the Professional League of Eating Contests, which sanctions the event, the event will begin at 10 a.m. ET with pre-show celebrations including music and dance performances.
The women’s competition starts at 11:00 a.m., the men’s competition starts at 12:30 p.m
Eaters must be at least 18 years old to participate and have attended a qualifying event in May or June.
Nathan’s hosted four qualifying events for the big show, with the top male and female contestants receiving invitations to the July 4th showdown.
According to CNN affiliate WABC, each contestant will have their own scorer who will monitor their running total. Water and other drinks and condiments are allowed. Penalties can be imposed for “messy eating and burping,” according to WABC.
According to WABC, the front-runner in each category receives $10,000. Second place is $5,000, third place is $2,500, fourth place is $1,500 and fifth place is $1,000. Each champion also receives the coveted mustard belt.
The eater to watch on the men’s side is reigning champion Joey Chestnut, who has won 15 of the last 16 Independence Day contests. Last year, Chestnut took home the award after eating 63 hot dogs in 10 minutes.
He set a personal record with 76 dogs swallowed in 2021. He is one of 16 eaters competing in the men’s division along with other top ranked eaters including Geoffrey Esper, Nick Wehry and Gideon Oji.
Miki Sudo, the #1 competitive eater, will also defend her title. Last year she ate 40 hot dogs and buns and took home the grand prize. Sudo holds the women’s world record for eating 48.5 hot dogs in 10 minutes.
Fifteen women will be fighting for the title this year including Michelle Lesco, Larell Marie Mele and Katie Prettyman.
If you can’t make it to Coney Island for Independence Day, don’t worry — you can still watch the competitors gobble hot dogs from afar. ESPN will exclusively broadcast the event, with coverage beginning at 10:45 a.m. ET.