LI Ducks to host first-ever Chicken Nugget Eating Championship

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The Long Island Ducks and quick-service restaurant chain Wendy’s are welcoming Major League Eating to the minor league stadium in Central Islip. 

The league’s first-ever Chicken Nugget Eating Championship will be held at the Fairfield Properties Ballpark, the home of the Ducks, on Friday, July 26. 

Top-ranked competitive eaters are slated to compete in the event, where they will have eight minutes to eat as many Wendy’s Chicken Nuggets as possible. In addition to trying to set a new World Record to eclipse the 80 nuggets in five minutes consumed by Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas, they are vying for the champion title and a total prize purse of $10,000. 

“We are honored to host this inaugural event at our ballpark,” Ducks General Manager Sean Smith said in a written statement. “It’s a thrill to host some of the biggest names in competitive eating, and we’re all looking forward to watching them chow down.” 

Competitors scheduled for the event include number two-ranked Patrick Bertoletti of Chicago; third-ranked Geoffrey Esper from Oxford, Mass; fourth-ranked James Webb from Little El, Texas; fifth-ranked Miki Sudo of Tampa, Fla; and more. Bertoletti and Sudo claimed Mustard Belt victories at this summer’s Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4, consuming 58 and 51 hot dogs and buns, respectively, in 10 minutes. 

“Wendy’s serves the best chicken nuggets in the game made with all white meat, the ideal addition to Major League Eating’s 2024 slate of sanctioned competitions,” MLE emcee George Shea said in the statement. “Some of our boldest and fiercest competitors will be in attendance in hopes of topping the current world record.” 

The Chicken Nugget Eating Championship takes place at 5:35 p.m. on July 26, prior to the Ducks game against the Lancaster Stormers. The ballpark gates will open early for all fans that day at 5:15 p.m.