Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest 2024 FREE STREAM: How to watch, time, channel

BROOKLYN, New York - The Fourth of July is here, which means thousands will descend upon Coney Island for the 2024 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest . It's a tradition unlike any other that will be missing its main star, Joey Chestnut. But the show must go on, and you can watch it on multiple streaming services for free.

The event will broadcast live on ESPN2 and ESPN3 beginning at 10:45 a.m. Eastern. Fans can catch this once-a-year event for free by taking advantage of streaming service options like DirecTV Stream , which both offer free trials. Sling TV has promotional offers for new customers.

Where is the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest held? The Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest will take place outside the original Nathan's location in Coney Island near Brooklyn, New York.

When does the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest start? The women's competition starts at 10:45 a.m. Eastern on ESPN3. The men's competition will start at 12 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2.

What are the rules for the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest? Major League Eating (MLE) has managed the event since 1997. Past champions, league competitors and special MLE invitees can qualify for the event during other preliminary contests throughout the year.

During the event, participants must eat as many Nathan's Famous hot dogs in buns as they can within a 10-minute period. Each contestant gets their own scorekeeper.

Water and other beverages are permitted

Condiments are allowed

Partially eaten hot dogs count and hot dogs still being chewed at the end of regulation can qualify. They must be swallowed.

Penalties can be issued for messy eating and reversal of fortunes (regurgitation)

Sudden death eat-offs will decide the winner if there is a tie at the end of regulation

What prizes do the winners get?

First place: $10,000

Second place: $5,000

Third place: $2,500

Fourth place: $1,500

Fifth place: $1,000

The top male competitor gets a mustard-yellow belt, and the top female competitor gets a pink belt.

Who are the competitors to watch? Normally, this is the part where we tell you that Joey "Jaws" Chestnut is the clear favorite. The 15-time champion, who holds the world record of 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes, will not be competing in the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest as he was banned by MLE for signing with a rival vegan food brand. Chestnut will instead compete in another Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating contest .

The spotlight shifts to defending women's champion Miki Sudo, who is the top female champion of all time with 9 Nathan's titles. Sudo holds the world record for eating 6 hot dogs in one minute. She is considered an overwhelming favorite to claim her 10th title. Mayoi Ebihara is a distant second.

On the men's side, Geoffrey Esper claimed second place last year with 49 downed dogs to Chestnut's 62. Third place was earned by Australia's James Webb with 47 dogs. Nick Wehry ate 45 to grab fourth. With Chestnut out, expect this race to tighten into a thrilling finish as a new champion is crowned.

This year's event brings competitors from the U.S., Japan, Brazil, Australia, Korea, Czech Republic, United Kingdom and Canada.

What are the latest odds for the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest?Men's

Geoffrey Esper -120

James Webb +200

Nick Wehry +550

Patrick Bertoletti +800

Field +2500

Gideon Oji +4000

Derek Hendrickson +7500

Darrien Thomas +7500

Max Stanford +7500

George Chiger +7500