It doesn’t get much more American than this.
Joey Chestnut, the 16-time Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest champion, will return to the July 4, 2025, competition at Coney Island after being banned in 2024 due to a sponsorship dispute.
Chestnut was rejected by the event last year after partnering with a rival brand by the name of Impossible Foods. That’s right, he was representing a vegan hot dog company.
Nathan’s is all-beef – as it should be.
Major League Eating and Chestnut announced the reutrn on Monday morning, letting fans know that a legend in competitive eating was back, baby!
“I’m thrilled to be returning to the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. This event means the world to me,” Chestnut said in a statement. “It’s a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life.”
I respect that there were differences in interpretation, but I’m grateful we’ve been able to find common ground.
— Joey Chestnut (@joeyjaws) June 16, 2025
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!
Stay hungry!
Joey Chestnut Returns to the Hot Dog Stage
Joey Chestnut, who holds the official record for eating 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes in 2021, aims to reclaim his title from 2024 winner Patrick Bertoletti, who ate 58 hot dogs.
That seems like a foregone conclusion. Joey could eat 58 in his sleep, and probably does.
But with any legendary athlete comes legendary confidence. Chestnut is no different, predicting that he will not only take home the Golden Weiner (I just made that up) in this year’s contest, but will “drop the hammer” on all other competitors.
The hot dog king told TMZ he’s gunning for 80 hot dogs in what will be his 19th appearance at the competition.
“I’m definitely hungry for this year. Two and a half weeks, I’m going to be putting down some hot dogs,” he told the outlet. “I’m going in … I’m gonna drop the hammer. From first minute to last, I wanna be dominant.”
RELATED: Former competitive eating champ accuses Joey Chestnut of cheating
Who Could Have Filled in For Him?
Had Joey Chestnut been banned from the competition again this year, we would have suggested a truly worthy replacement – Paige Spiranac, of course.
Paige offered to take part in Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest last year, posting video evidence that she could house some dogs. And for that, we thank her. Very, very much.
“I’m available to fill in,” she wrote on X, claiming to have eaten 6.5 hot dogs in 10 minutes. She posted a video showing she had actually downed six of them in that timeframe.
I have found the video proof. And I lied it was only 6 hotdogs and not 6.5. I might have to try again this July 4th. Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/o5L55Ptucy
— Paige Spiranac (@PaigeSpiranac) June 12, 2024
For comparison, Miki Sudo holds the women’s world record of 51 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs in 10 minutes. So Paige Spiranac is a mere 45 behind that pace.
No worries, Paige won’t need to sign up. Joey Chestnut is back!
This is a purely all-American sport. It showcases our nation’s drive for excess and fame. It’s held on Independence Day for crying out loud.
And we have the most prominent legend in the sport’s history making a return that will most likely be worthy of a Hollywood production.
At the “Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef” hot dog eating contest, hosted by Netflix in September, Joey inhaled a nearly incomprehensible 83 hot dogs, defeating the “Godfather of Competitive Eating”, Takeru Kobayashi.
If he does that on Independence Day, it alone would be worthy of a fireworks celebration.
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