local
Joey Chestnut wins his 18th Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest
By ABC News at KVIA ABC-7
· July 4, 2026
· 2 min read
Chestnut spoke to "GMA" before the annual contest.
By Nadine El-Bawab
July 4, 2026, 11:01 AM
Joey Chestnut was crowned the winner of the 2026 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest for the 18th time on Saturday.
He ate 66 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.
"I knew I was going to be a...
Key takeaway " In this July 4, 2022, file photo, competitive eater Joey Chestnut wins with 63 hot dogs in the men's division at the 2022 Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island, in Brooklyn, New York.
Why this matters in The El Paso
While El Paso residents may not have a direct connection to the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, the event's emphasis on competition and community is reminiscent of local gatherings like the El Paso Balloonfest or the Neon Desert Music Festival. These events bring people together, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared experience. Similarly, the hot dog eating contest, with its annual tradition and dedicated fan base, has become a staple of American culture. For El Pasoans who enjoy watching competitive eating or are interested in unique events, Joey Chestnut's 18th win may spark curiosity about other competitive eating contests or local eating challenges that could be organized in the city. As El Paso continues to grow and develop its own cultural identity, events like these can serve as inspiration for community-driven gatherings that celebrate food, competition, and community spirit.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 4, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Chestnut spoke to "GMA" before the annual contest.
By Nadine El-Bawab
July 4, 2026, 11:01 AM
Joey Chestnut was crowned the winner of the 2026 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest for the 18th time on Saturday.
He ate 66 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.
"I knew I was going to be a...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 4, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by ABC News at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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