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MLB 9-9-9 challenge, explained: What to know about viral hot dog and beer trend coming to ballparks in 2026

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MLB 9-9-9 challenge, explained: What to know about viral hot dog and beer trend coming to ballparks in 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Nothing quite pairs with a baseball game like a beer and a hot dog.

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Some fans, however, have taken that meal to another level: a challenge. In recent years, if you've heard the term "9-9-9 challenge," it refers to pushing your body's caloric limits a bit over the course of an MLB baseball game -- by way of alcohol and hot dogs, of course.

It's certainly not a task created for light drinkers or eaters, but MLB has made it a more official in 2026 by bringing "9-9-9 challenge" meal options to different ballparks.

Here's what to know about the viral "9-9-9 challenge" created by baseball fans.

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What is the 9-9-9 challenge?

The 9-9-9 challenge is fairly simple: consume nine beers and nine hot dogs over the course of a nine-inning baseball game. 

The trend was created by fans in recent years, but MLB has also taken notice. For the 2026 season, Aramark Sports + Entertainment partnered with competitive eating star Joey Chestnut — famous for his hot-dog eating contest victories every Fourth of July — to make an MLB-sponsored "9-9-9 challenge."

The beer-hot dog challenge will be officially available as a package at six different MLB stadiums in 2026.

What are the rules of the 9-9-9 challenge?

Completing the challenge is more difficult than you may anticipate, especially if using full-size beers or hot dogs — but the rules are simple. Drink nine beers and nine hot dogs within the limits of a nine-inning baseball game, which is typically anywhere from two-to-three hours long.

Some prefer to drink one beer and eat one hot dog per inning, but that is not a requirement. 

What size beers for the 9-9-9 challenge?

Some fans consider the "9-9-9 challenge" only valid if it features full-size beers and hot dogs -- but, to their dismay, MLB has shrunk down the sizes a bit for its official challenge package, bringing somewhat of a safer meal experience.

MLB's "9-9-9 challenge" features flight-sized beers, about four ounces each, and mini hot dogs. 

While MLB certainly isn't going to endorse heavy drinking or eating, some fans were also critical of the league-sponsored challenge's beer sizes, which SF Gate showed is around the equivalent of one tall can.

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When did the 9-9-9 challenge start?

Baseball fans have unofficially been pushing themselves to digest nine beers and nine hot dogs in a game for years, often a challenge among friends going to a ballgame. So, there's no official start date or known creator.

However, MLB first introduced its official "9-9-9 challenge" at the Phillies' Citizens Bank Park in the 2025 postseason, the first time fans could buy a full bundle of the food.

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What MLB teams have 9-9-9 challenge?

Six different MLB teams will have an official "9-9-9 challenge" available to order in 2026.

Phillies

The Phillies were the first team to introduce a "9-9-9 challenge," which came during the 2025 postseason. 

Now, at Citizens Bank Park in 2026, the team will have it available in Section 128.

Mets

The Mets will also be offering the challenge in 2026, available at Willets Point Brewery. 

Rockies

Coors Field is already a spectacle, but the Rockies also gave fans more of a reason to come see a struggling team. 

They'll be offering the "9-9-9 challenge" at Fanfare in Section 139.

Astros

At Daikin Park, the Astros will have the "9-9-9 challenge" available at Crawford Dogs in Sections 109 and 418.

Royals

Double Dip Hoagies at the Royals' Kauffman Stadium will offer the challenge in 2026, which is in Section 247 of the ballpark.

Giants

The Giants are the sixth team offering the challenge at their home stadium in 2026. 

At Oracle Park, fans can engage in the beer and hot dogs at Doggie Diner in the Scoreboard Plaza area.

9-9-9 challenge price

The price to complete MLB's "9-9-9 challenge" depends on the stadium. But generally, you can expect to pay around $60.

At Coors Field, the price is $65 for the Rockies' challenge, per CBS News. At the Giants' Oracle Park, it's $54.99, per SF Gate.

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