The 4th of July is this Friday—and if you’re looking to celebrate with one of NYC’s wildest, most star-spangled traditions, you need to make your way to Coney Island for the 2025 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.
Picture it: a sea of fans waving flags, hot dogs flying, announcers in straw hats yelling into mics, and elite eaters from across the globe chowing down dozens of franks in just ten minutes.
It’s chaotic, it’s patriotic, and honestly, it’s kind of beautiful.
If you’re planning on heading to Brooklyn to soak it all in (or just want to catch the madness from home), here’s everything you need to know:
What is the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest?
Held annually on July 4th, the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is a major-league showdown between the world’s best competitive eaters, battling for the coveted Mustard Belt and a shot at food sports glory.
Each contestant gets 10 minutes to eat as many hot dogs and buns as humanly possible.
Last year, over 35,000 fans gathered in person, with millions more tuning in on TV. It’s as much about the spectacle as it is about the stats.
As George Shea, chair of Major League Eating, puts it: “The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest stands as an enduring beacon of freedom for our nation and the world.”
When & where is the contest happening?
This year’s contest takes place on Friday, July 4, 2025, right at the iconic Nathan’s Famous flagship restaurant on Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island, Brooklyn—where the original Nathan’s opened way back in 1916.
Schedule of Events:
- 10:00 am: Pre-show festivities begin (expect music, dance acts, and a lot of energy)
- 11:00 am: Women’s Contest
- 12:30 pm: Men’s Contest
To get there, hop on the D, F, N, or Q trains to Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue Station, or take the X28/X38 express buses from Midtown.
How to watch the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest (Live & On TV)
Want to witness the madness in person? Just show up to Surf and Stillwell Avenues early on the morning of July 4th. No ticket needed, it’s free—just bring your loudest cheers and maybe some sunscreen.
Watching from home? You can catch the full contest broadcast live on ESPN, which airs both the women’s and men’s competitions starting at 11 am ET.
Who’s competing this year?
This year’s lineup is stacked with heavy hitters from around the world. And yes—Joey Chestnut is back to reclaim his crown after sitting out last year due to contract drama. He’s the current world record holder with a jaw-dropping 76 hot dogs and buns eaten in 10 minutes.
Last year’s champ Patrick Bertoletti will be defending his 2024 title after eating 58 HDBs, while Miki Sudo returns after setting a women’s world record of 51 HDBs and clinching her 10th title in 2024.
Here’s a taste of this year’s top-ranked eaters:
Men’s Division Highlights:
- #1 Joey Chestnut – Westfield, IN
- #2 Patrick Bertoletti – Chicago, IL
- #3 Geoffrey Esper – Oxford, MA
- #4 James Webb – Sydney, Australia
- #16 Max Stanford – London, England
- #29 Ricardo Corbucci – Brasilia, Brazil
Women’s Division Highlights:
- #5 Miki Sudo – Tampa, FL (defending champ)
- #9 Michelle Lesco – Tucson, AZ
- #28 Jocelyn Young – Sherman, TX
- #47 Cherish Brown – Edon, OH
This year, competitors are flying in from England, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Czechia, and all across the U.S.—making it a true global gut-busting event.
What does the winner get?
In addition to international bragging rights, winners take home the legendary Mustard Belt and cash prizes—with Major League Eating offering a prize pool of $40,000, split among top male and female finishers.
There’s also the prestige: setting or breaking a world record, earning a spot in the eating history books, and of course, becoming the stuff of 4th of July legend.
