Published on: January 8, 2026, 03:30h.

Updated on: January 8, 2026, 03:31h.

Competitive eating, a distinctly American pastime that humorously promotes indulgence, is set to make its exciting return on January 31. Joey Chestnut will aim to defend his championship title at the fourth annual Siegel’s Bagelmania World Bagel Eating Championship in Las Vegas — yes, competitive eating has its own prestigious titles.

Chestnut’s current benchmark stands at 15 bagels slathered with cream cheese, consumed within eight minutes — a record he has maintained for the past two years, suggesting he has reached the peak of human bagel consumption ability.

Last year’s challenge saw Patrick Bertoletti (14.5) and Geoffrey Esper (13.125) come perilously close to unseating him. This year, they will be back, facing off in yet another intense battle of endurance alongside competitors like James Webb, Nick Wehry, Gideon Oji, and local favorite Derek Hendrickson. Collectively, six of Major League Eating’s top ten contenders will vie for a $10,000 prize and a championship belt that resembles a toy from Walmart.

Embrace the Carb Craze

Major League Eating’s emcee, Sam Barclay, is already creating buzz around the event, branding it as the “Super Bowl of schmear,” and promising a “jaw-dropping spectacle.” This is somewhat fitting considering the extreme measures needed to consume around 4 pounds of crunchy bagels in one sitting.

This year’s added twist: the event will be streamed live worldwide on TrillerTV, a platform primarily dedicated to combat-related entertainment. Adam Bigwood, TrillerTV’s content chief, describes it as a “larger-than-life crossover,” pairing Chestnut with GCW pro wrestler Sam Stackhouse for some added flair.

This broadcast will be the first opportunity for fans globally to witness the carbohydrate-filled chaos of the championship. It’s free to watch and stream, guaranteed to spark curiosity and perhaps concern about the state of humanity’s final countdown.

For those wishing to attend in person, come equipped with curiosity, critical thinking, and perhaps a plastic knife to Siegel’s Bagelmania, located at 252 Convention Center Drive in Las Vegas, starting at 11 a.m. on January 31.