World’s Top Eaters Are Coming to Illinois for This Challenge

A competitive eating showdown is coming to Route 66 in Illinois as Major League Eating arrives on the Mother Road.

Route 66 Festival Gets a New Attraction

The inaugural Cozy Dog Eating World Championship will bring some of the world's top competitive eaters to Illinois' capital city on Saturday, September 26.

Sanctioned by Major League Eating, the event is part of the Mother Road Festival, which celebrates 100 years of Route 66, with competitors taking the stage in downtown Springfield.

Hot Dog Eating Champ from Illinois Headlines Field

Among the competitors is Chicago's Pat Bertletti, a former hot dog eating champion who is currently ranked No. 2 in the world by Major League Eating.

Matthew Raible is another professional eater from Edwards, Illinois, who has 10 minutes to eat as many Cozy Dogs as possible, with the goal of establishing a new world record, along with picking up a $5,000 grand prize.

Illinois Tradition Takes Center Stage

The Cozy Drive-In on Route 66 in Springfield has served its original hot dog on a stick along the Mother Road since 1946, still using the original recipe with a hot dog dipped in batter and deep-fried.

Organizer of the event, Greg Cooper, said this competition adds to the festival's entertainment lineup that includes classic cars, music, and Americana.

The Cozy Dog Major League Eating Championship will happen on September 26 at 1 p.m. in downtown Springfield, Illinois.