Jaws is making a comeback!
Joey Chestnut will be returning to the site of his greatest victories this July when he takes part in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest following a one-year forced hiatus.
I’m thrilled to be returning to the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. This event means the world to me. It’s a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life. (1/3)
— Joey Chestnut (@joeyjaws) June 16, 2025
The 41-year-old Kentucky native has won the contest a record 16 times, but was banned from last year's event after agreeing to a lucrative sponsorship deal with the imitation meat brand, Impossible Foods.
Check back soon for odds for this year's eagerly-anticipated event.
🌭 What is Nathan's Hot Dog Eating contest?
The annual event, held on the Fourth of July at Coney Island to celebrate Independence Day, is the great American tradition of stuffing our faces with mystery meat. Competitors try to eat as many hot dogs (with buns) as they can within 10 minutes with dunking the buns in water encouraged. Any throwing up results in an instant disqualification.
📜 The origins and history of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest
The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest began on July 4, 1916 when four immigrants allegedly staged an impromptu eating competition at Nathan Handwerker’s hot dog stand on Coney Island to determine who was the most patriotic. Though this origin story has become part of the contest's lore, it was later revealed to be a marketing myth created in the 1970s by promoters. Nevertheless, the contest steadily grew in popularity over the decades, transforming from a quirky local event into a nationally recognized spectacle.
By the 1990s and early 2000s, the contest gained major media attention, thanks in part to the rise of competitive eaters like Takeru Kobayashi, who dramatically increased the winning totals and drew international eyes to the event.
Held annually on Independence Day outside Nathan’s flagship restaurant, the contest is now overseen by Major League Eating and features both men’s and women’s divisions, broadcast live on ESPN. It has become a symbol of American excess and celebration, with tens of thousands attending in person and millions watching from home.
🏅 Past Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest results
Previous winners of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, since 2011 when women began competing separately, and how many hot dogs they consumed.
| Year | Men's Winner | Hot Dogs | Women's Winner | Hot Dogs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Patrick Bertoletti | 58 | Miki Sudo | 51 |
| 2023 | Joey Chestnut | 62 | Miki Sudo | 39.5 |
| 2022 | Joey Chestnut | 63 | Miki Sudo | 40 |
| 2021 | Joey Chestnut | 76 | Michelle Lesco | 30.75 |
| 2020 | Joey Chestnut | 75 | Miki Sudo | 48.5 |
| 2019 | Joey Chestnut | 71 | Miki Sudo | 31 |
| 2018 | Joey Chestnut | 74 | Miki Sudo | 37 |
| 2017 | Joey Chestnut | 72 | Miki Sudo | 41 |
| 2016 | Joey Chestnut | 70 | Miki Sudo | 38.5 |
| 2015 | Matt Stonie | 62 | Miki Sudo | 38 |
| 2014 | Joey Chestnut | 61 | Miki Sudo | 34 |
| 2013 | Joey Chestnut | 69 | Sonya Thomas | 36.75 |
| 2012 | Joey Chestnut | 68 | Sonya Thomas | 45 |
| 2011 | Joey Chestnut | 62 | Sonya Thomas | 40 |
