Joey Chestnut 96% favorite for Nathan's Hot Dog Contest win
Joey Chestnut enters Saturday's Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island with oddsmakers giving him a 96 percent chance of winning his 18th title, according to Action Network.
The 42-year-old holds the record for most Nathan's wins — 17 — including a 2021 performance in which he consumed 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes. That mark still stands. Chestnut faces stiffer competition this year, including Patrick Bertoletti, who won the 2024 edition when Chestnut did not compete.
Chestnut priced as near certainty despite Bertoletti challenge
An Action Network spokesperson told MMA Mania that Chestnut "is priced less like a traditional favorite and more like a near certainty, despite facing strong contenders such as Patrick 'Deep Dish' Bertoletti." The real question, the spokesperson added, may be "how close he comes to making history again."
Bettors give Chestnut only an 8 percent chance of breaking his own record. Downing 77 hot dogs would require him to exceed the pace that has made him the most dominant figure in competitive eating — a stretch even for someone widely considered the sport's greatest performer.
The contest airs live on July 4 as part of the country's 250th anniversary celebrations.
Original reporting:
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