Glizzy Gambling: Best bets for the 2026 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, Brooklyn

Fireworks, flags and BBQs are Fourth of July staples, but America’s 250th birthday brings an extra helping of absurdity to Coney Island. Yet, none capture the nation's spirit quite like the legendary Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, a Coney Island spectacle dating back to 1916.As ridiculous as it may sound, my favorite Red, White and Boom tradition is betting on the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Since joining OutKick in 2022, I've won money in two of my three on the Super Bowl of Major League Eating (MLE).Elite eaters face a brutal new opponent this year: A scorching Brooklyn weather forecast climbing into the upper 90s. Extreme heat is set to significantly affect swallowing speed, completely shaking up the oddsmakers' lines.

Welcome to "Glizzy Gambling," your ultimate betting guide to cashing in on this Independence Day.JOEY CHESTNUT WILL DEFEND NATHAN'S HOT DOG EATING CONTEST TITLE ON JULY 4 WHILE SERVING PROBATION SENTENCEThese odds are the best available at the time of writing and are subject to change.First of all, the Glizzy GOAT has eaten 71+ hot dogs and buns (HDB) five times and finished with exactly 70.

5 HBD last year. Not to get too nerdy here, but since five out of 16 is 31% and the implied probability of -165 is 62%, I’m getting a good number for the UNDER 70.5 HBD.

Yet, when you factor in the projected heat, I’m getting a great price on that Under. Temperatures in Brooklyn for July 4th are forecasted to be in the upper 90s, and it’s harder to down glizzies in the extreme heat. Sweating in the heat leads to dehydration and makes it tougher to juggle all of those hot dogs.

Buns become stale and harder to eat.JOEY CHESTNUT REFLECTS ON RETURN TO HOT DOG EATING CONTEST AFTER CONTRACT DISPUTE, TEMPORARY BANThe 17-time Mustard Belt winner ate a personal-low 54 HBD in 2010, and it was 96° outside. When Chestnut downed a record-setting 76 HBD in 2021, the weather was in the mid-70s, which he considers perfect weather for the contest.

In 2020, the hot dog eati