When is Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest 2025? Is Joey Chestnut competing? Records, date

It's doggone time Joey Chestnut returns to the Coney Island stage July 4 for the 2025 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Chestnut is readying for a comeback on the Fourth of July in New York where he had won a record 16 championships. He had skipped out of last year's contest due to a contractual dispute with Nathan's.

"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 earlier this month. "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!"

Here's everything to know about the legendary international hot dog eating competition, who holds the records and more.

Why was Joey Chestnut banned from the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest 2024?

Joey "Jaws" Chestnut was banned from the 2024 contest after he signed an endorsement deal with Impossible Foods that called for him to endorse the company's plant-based hot dogs. Nathan's at the time said it had viewed it as direct competition to its all-beef product.

Chestnut has since agreed to endorse only Nathan's hot dogs as part of a three-year contract with Nathan's and International Federation of Competitive Eating, which runs the annual competition.

When is Nathans Hot Dog Eating Contest 2025? Where is the Nathans Hot Dog Eating Contest?

The Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is held each year on July 4 at Nathan's Famous' original restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island, a neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y. The women's contest starts ahead of the men's at around 11 a.m., with the men's closer to 12:30 p.m.

Is Joey Chestnut competing this year?

Yes. Chestnut announced his return in a series of posts on the social media platform X. In an interview with USA TODAY Sports, Chestnut, 41, said he was hoping to snatch a new record.

“It'd be great to make a new record,’’ he said. “If I can get close to 80, that'd be amazing.’’

What is the world record for hot dog eating?

The world record for eating hot dogs is held by Joey Chestnut.

What is Joey Chestnut record? How many hot dogs does Joey Chestnut eat?

Joey Chestnut holds the record of eating 76 hot dog links and buns. Chestnut had won 16 of the past 17 men's competitions until last year.

Who won Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest 2024?

Patrick "Deep Dish" Bertoletti won the men's competition, which was without perennial champion Joey Chestnut. In the women's contest, Miki Sudo won her 10th title.

What is Patrick Bertoletti's hot dog record?

Patrick Bertoletti ate a personal best 58 hot dogs and buns during the 2024 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, all within a 10-minute window of time. That was 18 shy of Chestnut's record.

What is Miki Sudo's hot dog record?

At the 2024 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, Miki Sudo ate 51 hot dogs and buns, winning her 10th title in the women's division.

Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest: Is Joey Chestnut competing? Banned?