• Loading stock data...
Monday, March 17, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now

The 10 Most Watched Hot Dog Eating Contests of All-Time

Nathan's Hot Dog Eating champion Joey Chestnut's belt before the Lugnuts game against the TinCaps on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, at Jackson Field in Lansing. Chestnut was participating in an olive burger eating contest before the game.
Credit: Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is a Fourth of July tradition that rivals any other. In fact, it has generated a higher rating than any MLB telecast played on the same day.

It all began in 1972 in Coney Island at Nathan’s Famous flagship hot dog stand location. 

Tens of thousands of people gather every year to see the spectacle of which contestants can eat the most hot dogs in 10 minutes. Millions more tune in at home.

In its decades-long history, the most-watched hot dog eating contests have come within the last 15 years.

The most-watched contest came in 2014, with 2.8 million viewers tuning in.

Although it was the highest-rated hot dog eating contest, its audience watched on a tape delay that evening after a World Cup match. It’s the only contest among the top five most-watched where its largest audience did not tune in live.

The 2011 edition is the second most-watched hot dog eating contest with 1.949 million total viewers. It was the first contest featuring a separate women’s competition. Before that year, women competed alongside men.

Sonya Thomas won the women’s competition by downing 40 hot dogs in 10 minutes. She was rewarded with $10,000 and a Pepto-Bismol-sponsored pink belt. Viewers also saw Joey “Jaws” Chestnut eat 62 hot dogs on his way to his fifth straight title.

Third with 1.677 million viewers is the hot dog eating contest from 2010. It was the first contest without Takeru Kobayashi, the Japanese contestant who dominated the competition during the 2000s. He won six straight titles from 2001 to 2006.

2015 is the only year that Takeru Kobayashi or Joey Chestnut didn’t take home the men’s title, yet it’s the last on the list with 1.129 million viewers.

The three most-watched contests featured guest announcers who helped hype up the action. Cari Champion featured alongside regular announcers Paul Page and Richard Shea in 2014, the most-watched contest.

The Most Watched Hot Dog Eating Contests Ever

Here is the list of the top 10 most-watched hot dog eating contests based on total viewers. The list was compiled using historical data from Nielsen and SportsMediaWatch.

  • Updated: July 2, 2024
RankingYearWinnerHot Dogs Eaten by WinnerTotal Viewers
12014Women’s: Miki Sudo
Men’s: Joey Chestnut
Sudo: 34
Chestnut: 69
2.8 million (tape delay)
22011Women’s: Sonya Thomas
Men’s: Joey Chestnut
Thomas: 40
Chestnut: 62
1.949 million
32010Joey Chestnut541.677 million
42007Joey Chestnut661.632 million
52006Takeru Kobayashi53.751.46 million
62019Women’s: Miki Sudo
Men’s: Joey Chestnut
Sudo: 31
Chestnut: 71
1.36 million
72009Joey Chestnut681.34 million
82016Women’s: Miki Sudo
Men’s: Joey Chestnut
Sudo: 38.5
Chestnut: 70
1.3 million (tape delay)
92012Women’s: Sonya Thomas
Men’s: Joey Chestnut
Thomas: 45
Chestnut: 68
1.299 million
102015Women’s: Miki Sudo
Men’s: Matt Stonie
Sudo: 38
Stonie: 62
1.129 million

Related lists:

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

MLB Network Shakes Up Nightly Lineup

“MLB Tonight” is expanding by an hour.
Mar 10, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) and center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) react after a call on a play against the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter at Paycom Center.

ESPN ‘Aggressive’ in NBA Schedule Flexes, On Pace for Record

This Sunday’s Sixers-Mavericks game was subbed out for Magic- Cavaliers.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Portfolio Players, a new bi-weekly show from Front Office Sports, takes you inside the biggest business moves in sports. Launching March 18th.

Featured Today

Auburn Tigers guard Miles Kelly (13) reacts after hitting a three-point shot against Kentucky during the first half in SEC basketball at Rupp Arena Saturday afternoon in Lexington, Kentucky March 1, 2025

The SEC’s Ascent to Men’s Basketball Supremacy

The league brought its football pageantry and power to college hoops.
San Diego Wave FC falls to Orlando Pride at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, CA on April 29, 2023.
March 14, 2025

The New Tailored Approach to Women’s Sports Uniforms

For new women’s sports leagues, every detail is custom.
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) cuts down the net after beating LSU in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament between Iowa and LSU at MVP Arena, Monday, April 1, 2024 in Albany, N.Y.
opinion
March 9, 2025

Reader Mailbag: Leagues Need Must-Watch Moments

Readers responded to NHL success and what it means for other leagues.
Moolah Kicks
March 8, 2025

Breaking the Mold: The Brands Designing Footwear Specifically for Female Athletes

New companies are laser focused on changing the women’s athletic footwear landscape.
Behind the scenes with NBC's TODAY show at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

NBC, Olympics Reach $3 Billion Rights Extension

The Olympics will remain on NBC through at least 2036.
March 12, 2025

As Ovechkin Closes on Gretzky, Caps Secure Local Broadcast Access

The NHL team will have local productions of four exclusive national games.
March 13, 2025

Sports Rebundling Continues As DirecTV, Roku Bet on Live Rights

DirecTV and Roku lean further in to sports to attract viewers.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
March 12, 2025

PGA Tour’s $20 Million Signature Events Seeing TV Ratings Boost

Three of the four elevated tournaments have made viewership gains.
March 12, 2025

CBS Sports at Stake As Paramount Acquisition Gets Contentious

Skydance says a rival bid for CBS Sports’ parent is “fraudulently misrepresented.”
Mar 8, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball against Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the fourth quarter at the TD Garden.
March 11, 2025

Celtics-Lakers Draws Record Ratings, NBA Nearly Even With Last Year

The game peaked at 5.34 million viewers.
March 10, 2025

ESPN Sets Women’s Hoops Ratings Record—Without Caitlin Clark

ESPN didn’t air Iowa games during last year’s regular season.