Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Qualifier Coming To LI Next Month

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY - Nathan’s Famous will host the New York qualifier for its annual Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest on Long Island next month.

The event will take place on Thursday, May 9 at 5:30 p.m. at Bethpage Ballpark - home to the Long Island Ducks - on 3 Court House Drive in Central Islip.

The top male and female finishers in the event will qualify for a seat at the international contest in Coney Island this Fourth of July. They will be facing reigning champions Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo.

Photo courtesy of Shea Communications

Top-ranked eaters in attendance will include:

• Geoffrey Esper from Oxford, MA (#3 ranked)
• George Chiger from Pocono Pines, PA (#18 ranked)
• Eric ‘Badlands Booker’ from Selden, NY (#23-ranked)
• Larell Marie Mele from Long Pond, PA (#31-ranked)

"The launch of the Nathan’s Famous hot dog-eating contest circuit means that we are on our way toward the most exciting day of the year: July 4," Phil McCann, Senior Director of Marketing of Nathan’s Famous, said. "We are seeking new talent in Long Island to represent our nation on the most patriotic day of the year."

Chestnut currently holds the world record and Coney Island record of 74 hot dogs and buns in 2018.

Miki Sudo of Las Vegas, Nevada, will defend her title as female champion, having consumed 37 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes in 2018. Her all-time best is 41 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.

In recent years, an estimated 35,000 fans have traveled to the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island to watch Nathan’s hot dog eating contest, which began in 1916, in person.

Registration for the Central Islip qualifier is now closed. Those interested in more information should visit majorleagueeating.com.

All competitors must be over 18 years of age.