Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Betting Odds

The coronavirus may have shut down most of the sports world, but it won’t stop the world’s best eaters from stuffing down as many hot dogs as they can on the Fourth of July.

The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is a go this year, but there are some coronavirus-imposed changes. The event won’t be held outside in its usual venue and will instead be held indoors at an undisclosed location. The number of competitors in the contest has also been lowered to accommodate physical distancing. Most years the contest is open to 15 competitors but this year there will be only five.

Chestnut listed as massive favorite in contest

On the men’s side, reigning hot dog eating champion Joey Chestnut remains the man to beat. At Bovada Sportsbook, the oddsmakers have Chestnut listed as a -1100 favorite against the rest of the field. If you think someone can dethrone him, the rest of the field is listed at +575.

Last year Chestnut won for the fourth straight year and for the 12th time in the last 13 years after eating 71 hot dogs. That was just short of the record 74 he ate in 2018. This year the oddsmakers have set Chestnut’s hot dog total at 72.5. The OVER is favored at -160 while the UNDER is at +120.

Champion topped runner-up by 21 dogs in 2019

For spread bettors, Chestnut is listed as a -15.5 favorite at -145 against the second-place finisher in the contest. Last year when Chestnut ate 71 dogs, runner-up Darron Breeden ate 50.

Speaking of Breeden, he’s available in his own head-to-head spread prop vs eater Geoffrey Esper. The oddmakers are giving Breeden a -2.5 spread and +105 odds. Last year when Breeden ate 50 dogs, Esper wolfed down 47.

On the women’s side of the competition, the favorite is reigning champion Miki Sudo. She’s listed at -750 while the rest of the women’s field is at +415.

Sudo favored over Lesco on women’s side

Last year Sudo won her sixth straight contest after eating 31 dogs. Her nearest opponent was Michelle Lesco with 26.5 dogs. At Bovada, Sudo and Lesco are head-to-head on a prop with Sudo facing a -6.5 dog spread as a -140 favorite. On the prop, Lesco is an even-money underdog.

For the women’s winning total, Bovada has set the total at 37.5 dogs. The UNDER is favored at -130 with the OVER at -110. Sudo’s record in the contest is 41 dogs which she ate in 2017, while the women’s overall record is 45 dogs, set by the now-retired Sonya Thomas in 2012.