Major League Eating, a unique and gluttonous league, has been gaining popularity beyond its famous hot dog eating contest. Founded in 1997, Major League Eating is headquartered in New York City and is known for its catchy logo featuring a fork. While the July hot dog eating contest is the most well-known event, the league hosts a variety of contests throughout the year in both the U.S. and Canada.

From jalapeno pepper eating contests to burger eating fests, Major League Eating offers a diverse range of events for participants and spectators. Annual contests include rib-eating in Minnesota and a donut-eating contest in D.C., all officially sanctioned by the league. However, despite the excitement and competition, the prize money for these events is relatively modest, often in the four-figure range.

The question of whether professional eating qualifies as a sport is a topic of debate. While events like hot dog eating contests involve competitive training and skill, it remains challenging to equate professional eaters with traditional athletes like NBA players. Nonetheless, Major League Eating continues to captivate audiences, with the 2014 hot dog eating contest drawing approximately 2.8 million viewers and ranking among the top-ten most-watched events on the channel.

With around 50 members on its roster, Major League Eating ranks participants based on their performances in various contests. The upcoming Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest offers a substantial prize of $40,000 to the winner, along with a likely stomach ache. Following this iconic event, the league will host a rib-eating contest in late July and a poutine contest in August in Toronto.