Alexis Mikulski Ruiz
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Every year since 1972, a small stretch of boardwalk in Brooklyn’s Coney Island becomes home to one of America’s favorite Fourth of July traditions: The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.
Surrounded by crowds of spectators — many dressed in hot dog-themed costumes complete with buns and mustard — competitive eaters gather for the annual spectacle. There’s the iconic straw-hatted emcee who looks pulled straight from a 1950s movie, roaring fans, and the legendary Cyclone roller coaster towering in the background.
If you want to tune into this year’s event but can’t make the trip to New York City (though it’s worth it), there are several ways to watch from home, even without cable.
At a Glance: How to Watch Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest Online for Free
- Channel: ESPN2, ABC, ESPN+
- Date, time: Saturday, July 4 at 10:45 a.m. EST (women’s contest), 12:30 p.m. EST (men’s contest)
- Stream: DirecTV, Fubo, Sling, Hulu + Live TV
One of the easiest ways to stream the contest at no cost is by using a free trial through DirecTV, Fubo, or Hulu + Live TV. For viewers looking for a longer-term streaming option, Sling offers a paid alternative.
The day includes two separate competitions: The women’s contest and the men’s contest.
The women’s competition begins at 10:45 a.m. ET and will stream on ESPN+. Coverage of the men’s event starts at 12:00 p.m. ET, with the contest itself scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. ET and airing on ABC and ESPN2.
Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest draws competitors from around the world for a 10-minute sprint to consume as many hot dogs and buns as possible. Around 20 contestants typically compete in the event.
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One of the biggest storylines each year is Joey Chestnut, the longtime fan favorite who is returning this year in search of his 18th title. Chestnut missed the 2024 contest due to a partnership issue with a plant-based meat brand, but fans famously showed up to Coney Island with signs reading, “Let Joey Eat.” He won the 2025 competition.
Where to Watch Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest for Free
If you want to watch the competitors scarf down hot dogs in record time this Fourth of July, the easiest way to stream for free is through a trial of DirecTV, Fubo, or Hulu + Live TV — or choose Sling if you’re looking for a paid, long-term option.
editor’s pick DirecTV
get free trial➤ $49.99/month (for your first two months) ➤ Five-day free trial ➤ Up to 185+ channels
You can watch the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on DirecTV which gives you access to ABC, ESPN2, and ESPN+. The service offers a five-day free trial, so you can stream the contest without paying.
To get ESPN2, you’ll need the MySports package, which starts at $49.99 per month (for your first two months), after the free trial and also lets you add ESPN+ at no additional cost. If you only want access to ABC, plans start at $39.99 per month, with most packages also including NBC, CNN, and other popular channels.
Fubo
get free trial➤ $54.99/month ➤ Free trial ➤ Up to 300+ channels
Fubo also offers a way to stream ABC without cable, along with ESPN2 and ESPN+. Plans start at $54.99 per month after a five-day free trial, and there’s currently a promotion offering up to $30 off your first month.
Sling
sign up now➤ $19.99/month ➤ Short-term passes available ➤ Up to 50+ channels
You can also use Sling to watch ABC online, as the streamer carries the channel with its Select, Blue, and Blue + Orange plans. Subscriptions start at $19.99 per month.
For ESPN coverage of the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, Sling is one of the more affordable live TV options. ESPN and ESPN2 are included in Sling’s Orange package, which starts at $45.99 per month. While Sling doesn’t offer a free trial, it does provide short-term passes, including a one-day pass for $4.99.
Hulu + Live TV
get free trial➤ $89.99/month ➤ Three-day free trial ➤ 100+ channels
With Hulu + Live TV, viewers can get access to Disney+, ESPN, and live TV — including major channels like ABC and ESPN2 and ESPN+. The ad-supported plan starts at $89.99 per month after a three-day free trial and includes 95+ channels.
Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest Date, Time
The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest takes place on Coney Island on July 4, 2026, beginning at 10:45 a.m. with the women’s competition. Coverage of the men’s competition begins at 12 p.m., with the event itself starting at 12:30 p.m.
Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest Record
The record for most hot dogs eaten during the annual Fourth of July contest is held by Joey Chestnut, who set it in 2021 by putting away 76 hot dogs in the 10-minute slot.
