Welcome to the split long weekend! The Fourth of July falls on Tuesday this year, which is giving some lucky people a five-day weekend. All long weekends should be five days, because you deserve it.
The 7 biggest sports events for July 4 weekend — hot dogs included!
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
Things are a little quiet this week, but don’t worry because on Tuesday we have the most American sport in existence waiting for us: the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.
WHAT TO WATCH
All times Eastern.
EATING
You have to wait until Tuesday, but the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is a holiday tradition. The event will begin at noon on July 4, over on ESPN. Joey Chestnut is a massive favorite to win the event once again, but the question is whether he can break his own record of 70 hot dogs he set in 2016.
NBA FREE AGENCY
OK, you can’t really watch free agency on your TV, but you won’t want to miss NBA silly season — starting when the clock strikes midnight on July 1. All eyes will be on big names like Blake Griffin, Gordon Hayward and Paul George who could be wearing new uniforms this time next week.
MLB
The Nationals play the Cardinals on Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN starting at 8 p.m. The Nats are riding high atop the NL East, while the Cardinals are desperately trying to keep pace with the Cubs, and Milwaukee — who continues to surprise.
TENNIS
Roger Federer skipped the clay season to be fresh for Wimbledon, and he’s the favorite going into the season’s third and most prestigious Grand Slam.
The first round begins on Monday at 7 a.m. on ESPN.
WNBA
The Mystics play the Sparks on Sunday at 5 p.m. on WNBA League Pass. Washington faces the reigning champs for a second time, and it will be the first time the Mystics have their full squad together. Emma Meesseman is set to return after winning the Eurobasket Bronze for Belgium to form a dynamic one-two punch down low with Elena Delle Donne.
TOUR DE FRANCE
Coverage of the 2017 Tour de France begins on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. on NBCSN. The 2017 Tour de France could be weird, and that’s a good thing. The three-week race has always been cycling’s crown jewel, but it has been lacking in excitement lately because of Chris Froome’s dominance. He is still the favorite to win, but his season has been somewhat disappointing, and he’ll be facing steep competition from a particularly deep peloton.
This year’s route has fewer mountaintop finishes than usual, but its mid-stage climbs are brutal even by the Tour’s standards. It should be a Tour of big individual attacks and, perhaps, a tighter race than we’re used to for the Maillot Jaune in Paris. Allez!
NASCAR
Racing returns to Daytona for the second time this season on Saturday night, this time racing under the lights. NBC has coverage beginning at 7 p.m.
WHAT TO READ
Get ready for the Tour de France with our preview.
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