How much could the winner make in this contest?

Eating competitions are big business these days and there is arguably no bigger contest than Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Held annually at the original Nathan’s Famous location in Coney Island, New York City, this spectacle has become synonymous with July 4th tradition.

At the forefront of this gastronomic showdown is Joey Chestnut, a name revered in the realm of competitive eating.

With an impressive record of 16 victories, Chestnut has solidified his dominance in the contest, most recently winning in 2023.

His unparalleled prowess includes setting and breaking his own records, with his most astounding achievement being the consumption of 76 hot dogs in just 10 minutes, a feat recognized by Guinness World Records in 2021.

The contest itself challenges participants to devour as many hot dogs and buns as possible within the strict time limit of 10 minutes.

How much money do the hot dog eaters earn?

According to information shared with Mashed, winners of Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest from both the men’s and women’s competitions receive a healthy sum of $10,000.

This is a great payday for ten minutes of work. The second, third, fourth, and fifth-place winners of the men’s and women’s competitions are also awarded for their efforts, receiving $5,000, $2,500, $1,500, and $1,000, respectively. This adds up to $40,000 in total prize money.

The contest is part of a circuit of events and according to Forbes, the earnings could sit between $400,000 and $500,000.

For example, the Ultimate Bologna Showdown has a pot of $10,000 to split between winners, and a Strawberry Shortcake Eating Championship totals $5,000 in prizes. With its total of $40,000 in prize money, Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is MLE’s most famous competition.