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2025 Coney Island Hot Dog Eating Contest

WHERE: Coney Island, NYC
WHEN: Friday July 4, 2025 at 12PM ET, televised live on ESPN2

Every July 4, the eyes of the world focus on Coney Island, NY, for the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest.

The holiday event, which is open to the public and which is sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive eating, takes place at Maimonides Park, next door to Nathan's Famous on the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island, Brooklyn.

With an expected attendance of 40,000 every year, those seeking good viewing are advised to arrive before 11 am. (For more information, call Major League Eating at 212.352.8651.)

Meanwhile, the rest of us couch potatoes can watch it live on ESPN in its 22ndt year televising the event -- beginning with the women's competition at 10:45 am ET on ESPN3 and the ESPN App.

Live coverage of the men’s competition begins on ESPN2 at 12:00 pm ET.

Missed all the fun? The competitions is usually re-broadcast on ESPN that same afternoon.

Last year's big winner? It was Chicago native Patrick Bertoletti who won the men's title after downing 58 hot dogs in 10 minutes, this after legendary 16-time champ Joey Chestnut dropped out of the competition.

Meanwhile, women's hot dog champ Miki Sudo will certainly be there, hoping to continue her 10-year winning streak at Coney Island and beating her own record of 51 hot dogs that she scoffed down in 2024.

Stay tuned!

The Coney Island Hot Dog Eating Contest has been a New York tradition since 1972.
(Photo courtesy Nathan's Famous.)

All about the Coney Island 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest

The Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has been held at Nathan's Famous on the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island for decades now, and has beccome firmly entrenched as a New York City tradition.

It continues every July 4th at noon, when a group of 20 steely-eyed individuals line up behind a 40-foot table to begin the 10-minute contest. These competitors, known in the sport of competitive eating as "gurgitators", may not appear athletic to the untrained eye. However, they are among the finest athletes - with the quickest jaws! - in the world.

Showing that its heart is in the right place, when the fierce competition is over 100,000 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs are donatedd to the Food Bank for New York City each year as part of the annual event.

also see -> National Hot Dog Day | Coney Island Mermaid Parade

Current World Hot Dog Eating Champ

What does it take to compete in Nathan's Famous Hot Dog-Eating Contest?

With a total of 16 wins in recent years, world champ Joey Chestnut did it again last year and chowed down 63 hot dogs in 10 minutes earning him the coveted 2023 Mustard Belt and the $10,000 grand prize.

This year, watch for Joey to drop out of the race and a new men's champ crowned at the upcoming contest in Coney Island.

“Nothing represents summer and the Fourth of July like the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog-Eating Contest,” says Wayne Norbitz, president and COO of Nathan's Famous. “This year our nation has new hope for glory.”

Vying for the Mustard Belt

The bejeweled and coveted Mustard Yellow International Belt, worn only by the International Champion, is to hot dog aficionados what Faberge Eggs were to Czar Nicholas. The belt is of unknown age and value, and is unveiled only at the annual contest.

Registration for the Nathan's Famous July 4th International Hot Dog Eating Contest is administered by the International Federation of Competitive Eating. To sign up, participants 18 years and over can visit www.NathansFamous.com.

More about the Coney Island hot dog eating contest around the Web:

Nathan's hot dog eating contest - Wikipedia

Coney Island's July 4th Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest FAQs