Get ready for the most celebrated gastronomic showdown of the year! The iconic Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is set to return to its spiritual home in Coney Island, New York, for another thrilling display of competitive eating prowess.
Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
Time: The event typically runs from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM ET, with the women’s competition often starting around 10:45 AM ET and the men’s at Noon ET.
Location: Nathan’s Famous Flagship Restaurant, 1310 Surf Avenue, Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York.
A Storied History of Gastronomic Glory
While the legend of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest beginning in 1916 as a patriotic eating contest among immigrants is a popular one, the truth is a bit more recent. The contest as we know it today was largely a publicity stunt cooked up in the early 1970s by press agents Max Rosey and Mortimer Matz. They successfully spread the fabricated story that the event had been a long-standing tradition since the year Nathan Handwerker opened his hot dog stand.
Regardless of its true origins, the contest has grown into a global spectacle, drawing tens of thousands of in-person spectators and millions of viewers on ESPN. Major League Eating (MLE) was founded to regulate and professionalize the sport, turning what was once a quirky local event into a legitimate athletic competition. Over the decades, it has seen remarkable feats of consumption, with competitors pushing the boundaries of human capacity.
The Reigning Champions and Top Contenders
This year, all eyes will be on the two titans of the sport, both looking to extend their legendary reigns.
Men’s Favorite: Joey “Jaws” Chestnut
- Bio: Joseph Christian Chestnut, better known as Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, is widely regarded as the greatest competitive eater of all time. Born on November 25, 1983, in Fulton County, Kentucky, Chestnut has dominated the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, holding an incredible 16 Mustard Belts. His personal best at the event is a staggering 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, set in 2021. Known for his intense training regimen, which includes stretching his stomach with water and milk, and his unwavering focus during competition, Chestnut is a true force of nature. After missing the 2024 contest due to a sponsorship dispute, “Jaws” is back and looking to reclaim his throne.
Women’s Favorite: Miki Sudo
- Bio: Miki Victoria Sudo, born on July 23, 1985, in New York, New York, is the undisputed queen of the women’s division. She has been undefeated in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest’s women’s competition since 2014, capturing a record tenth title in 2024 (she did not compete in 2021 due to pregnancy). Her current women’s record for the contest is 51 hot dogs and buns, also set in 2024. Sudo’s precise technique and incredible endurance have made her a dominant figure, and she continues to set the standard for female competitive eaters.
While Chestnut and Sudo are the overwhelming favorites, competitive eating is a sport of surprises. Challengers will be hungry for their shot at the Mustard Belt, making for an exciting and unpredictable contest.
Don’t miss a minute of the action as these incredible athletes push their limits in the ultimate Fourth of July celebration of speed, stamina, and hot dogs! EasySportz will have full coverage of the competition!
