Return of the King: Joey Chestnut Reclaims Nathan’s Hot Dog Crown After Controversial 2024 Ban

Joey Chestnut has been crowned this year’s winner of the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Chestnut took home the coveted Mustard Belt after consuming 70 hot dogs and buns over the 10 minutes of the contest. Chestnut dominated the field of competition in front of thousands gathered around at Nathan’s Famous on the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island, Brooklyn.

Chestnut, a competitive eating icon, has now won the contest a record 17 times. He has taken the crown every year since 2007 — with the exception of 2024, when he was barred from competing after a contract dispute with Major League Eating (MLE), the organization that runs the event.

Chestnut was banned from the 2024 competition after signing an endorsement deal with Impossible Foods, a company that produces plant-based hot dogs. Nathan’s, the sponsor of the event, forbids its competitors from endorsing rival brands. The MLE viewed this as a conflict of interest with their all-beef hot dog, and as a result, Chestnut was not allowed to compete in the 2024 contest.

Patrick Bertoletti won the 2024 contest with a total of 58 hot dogs.

Chestnut reached an agreement with Nathan’s ahead of the 2025 contest and made his return known.

“This event means the world to me. It’s a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life,” Chestnut said in a series of posts on X announcing his return in June. “I’m excited to be back on the Coney Island stage, doing what I live to do, and celebrating the Fourth of July with hot dogs in my hands!”

For the women’s contest, reigning champion Miki Sudo defended her crown to win the contest for the 11th time. She remains undefeated in the contest, eating 33 hot dogs for this year’s win. In 2024, she set a women’s record with 51.

Friday marks the 109th anniversary of the Fourth of July tradition.

Nathan’s began as a nickel hot dog stand opened by Nathan Handwerker in 1916, after the Polish immigrant borrowed $300 from his two friends and his wife’s secret spice recipe. That July 4, the first hot dog eating contest was born and has been held every year since.