As the sun rises on July Fourth, the air is filled with the tantalizing smell of grilled hot dogs, signaling the return of a cherished American tradition: the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. This year, the event is particularly special as it marks the much-anticipated return of 16-time champion Joey Chestnut, who is eager to reclaim his title after missing the contest last year.
In 2024, Joey Chestnut faced a ban from the Nathan’s contest due to a sponsorship conflict with Impossible Foods. However, a new agreement was reached in June 2025, allowing Chestnut to participate again and defend his impressive record. Fans are excited to see if he can once again dominate the competition.
This year’s contest also features last year’s champion, Patrick Bertoletti, who earned his title by devouring an astonishing 58 hot dogs in just 10 minutes. Additionally, Miki Sudo, the reigning world record holder in the women’s division with 51 hot dogs, will be back to defend her unbeaten streak. The competition is set to be fierce!
The 2025 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest takes place today, July 4, near the original Nathan’s location in Coney Island. The women’s contest is scheduled to begin at 10:45 a.m. ET, followed by the men’s contest at 12 p.m. ET. Fans can expect an exhilarating atmosphere filled with excitement and competition.
For those without cable, there are several options to watch the 2025 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest for free. A great choice is DIRECTV, which offers a five-day free trial and starts at $59.99/month, including access to the ESPN family of networks. The women’s contest will be broadcast on ESPN3, transitioning to ESPN2 for the men’s competition.
Additionally, you can take advantage of free trials available through platforms like fuboTV (seven days) and Hulu + Live TV (three days) to catch all the action from this exciting event.
The competition features top eaters from around the globe, including champions like Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo. This year promises to be a thrilling showdown as these elite competitors take on the challenge of consuming as many hot dogs as possible in just 10 minutes.
The 2025 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest boasts a prize pool of approximately $40,000, divided between the men’s and women’s events. The winner of each division will receive a cash prize of $10,000, with second place earning $5,000 and third place taking home $2,500. The stakes are high, adding to the competitive spirit of the event.
The rules of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest are straightforward yet critical to ensure fair competition. Each contestant has 10 minutes to eat as many hot dogs and buns as they can. They are provided with one plate containing five hot dogs and buns at a time. Notably, condiments like ketchup and mustard are not allowed, but competitors may drink any non-alcoholic beverage, with water being provided.
Participants can separate the hot dogs from the buns but must consume an equal number of each. If they fail to do so, their score will reflect the lesser amount eaten. Competitors are permitted to dunk the hot dogs and buns in water for up to five seconds, but no utensils are allowed. If any competitor vomits during the contest, they will be disqualified. The winner is determined by who consumes the most hot dogs and buns within the 10-minute timeframe.
This July Fourth, the 2025 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is poised to deliver a thrilling spectacle of speed, skill, and stomach capacity. With legends like Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo back in the ring, fans are in for an unforgettable experience filled with excitement and delicious competition.
