Each year on July 4 as the clock strikes high noon, thousands of fans gather on the corner of Surf and Stillwell in Coney Island to watch the greatest contest known to man: The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. Chances are you’ve seen highlights on ESPN or the news, but attending the contest live is a totally different experience (and one for the bucket list)! These are my top tips for attending the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in NYC!
Overview
The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest has been an annual event for over 100 years. Athletes train all year for a chance to get awarded the coveted Mustard Belt. Joey “Jaws” Chestnut is the current GOAT, downing 74 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes in 2018. The contest is recognized by both Major League Eating and the International Federation of Competitive Eating. If that wasn’t legitimate enough for you, ESPN does a live broadcast of it each year!
Getting there
Nathan’s hosts the annual contest outside its flagship location at 1310 Surf Avenue (corner of Stillwell) in Brooklyn, NY. Getting to Coney Island is easiest by subway. You can take either the D, F, N, or Q trains all the way to the last stop of Coney Island – Stillwell Avenue. The station exit is right across the street from contest grounds! Don’t bother driving (parking will be a nightmare), and be prepared for city busses to have their routes in the area altered.
Pro Tip: If you want a spot in the pit, or to be close enough to see the action, you have to get there early. I’m not talking an hour or two early; I’m taking you need to plan to arrive no later than 7:30 am. Lines will be begin forming early and they only allow a certain number of people in the pit. We arrived at 8:00 am and were one of the last to make it into the pit.
It’s a long day
Wear your comfiest shoes, because you’re about to stand for about 6 hours straight. As mentioned, you should plan to arrive and get your place in line no later than 7:30 am. A few hours later, the gates to the pit will open and only the first in line get a spot! Trust me, you want to be in the pit. Not only do you get the free hot dog hat and noisemaker, but this is undoubtably the best view of the stage. Should you arrive late, you’ll have to find a spot to stand on the streets and may not be able to see!
Not only is it a long day, but it’s a long hot day. I’m talking standing-on-blacktop-in-July-for-six-hours-in-the-middle-of-the-day hot. Pack water and anything else that may help you keep cool. I’d recommend a fan that plugs into your phone like this one. It’s not much, but it’ll save you when there is exactly zero breeze! Pack a few bottles of water as well (but not too much- there are no bathrooms once you’re in the pit!). Bags and water are allowed in, but there are restrictions. Don’t bring anything big (I brought a draw-string bag), and be prepared to have security check it.
The women’s competition begins at 11:00 am, followed by the men at 12:00 noon, however festivities begin around 10:00 am. Expect singing, dancing, and a ton of fun. You’ll be entertained up until contest time!
Let the contest begin!
After incredible introductions by the the legendary George Shea, the contest’s master of ceremonies, it’s time to start the contest! Contestants have ten minutes to scarf down as many Nathan’s hot dogs and buns as they can- and they have to keep them all down even after the contest ends!
There is one thing for sure- the crowd gets into it. Superfans make signs and tee shirts, and expect cheering throughout the entire ten minutes. The Nathan’s hot dog girls flip through numbers throughout so you can constantly see how your favorite is pacing. Yes, watching grown adults inhale disgusting amounts of food in a short amount of time is nauseating, but it’s also hilariously entertaining!
After ten minutes, the judges tally the final results and the winner is crowned the coveted Mustard Belt. In addition, their name will live forever on the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Wall of Fame that hangs proudly outside the location in Coney Island.
Afterward
After the contest wraps up and the winner is crowned, expect to feel like herded cattle. There will be crowds for blocks wide. Don’t go immediately to the subway. Instead, walk down to the Coney Island Boardwalk and beach and kill a little time to let the crowds thin out. While you’re there you can lounge on the beach, ride a few rides, or grab a bite to eat.
Tip: After all of that, you’ll probably end up craving a hot dog! Most people will wait in an ungodly line at the Nathans next to the stage. However, there is a second location on the Coney Island Boardwalk (located here) that will have a far shorter line. It’s only about a 5 minute walk from the contest grounds, and will give you a little space to breathe from other people.
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