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The Nathan’s hot dog eating contest two years ago was unusual in that it didn’t feature the biggest competitive eater of all time.
Joey Chestnut, 16-time winner of the event, was not eligible to participate in 2024 after signing a deal with Nathan’s rival Impossible Foods. Chestnut was still sidelined months before the 2025 competition when he announced that he and organizers had found common ground on sponsorship.
That brought Chestnut, now a 17-time winner after winning the belt again last year, back to Coney Island.
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Joey Chestnut wins the men’s competition at Nathan’s Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York City on July 4, 2025. He returned to compete for a 17th victory after missing the 2024 event due to a sponsorship dispute with Major League Eating. (Adam Gray/Getty Images)
“It was great. The audience is incredible, it’s electric. It’s good to be back after fixing some things,” Chestnut recently told Pak Gazette Digital. “I’m doing what I love. I got the best job in the world. I get to eat, travel, hit people and meet happy people. So it was great to be back.”
Chestnut’s return to the big stage was, well, great. Credit goes to Patrick Bertoletti, who took down 58 dogs and buns in Chestnut’s absence to take home the title two years ago. But Chestnut hasn’t posted a number this “low” since 2010. And while Coney Island Nathan’s still had a decent crowd, it doesn’t compare to when Chestnut is on stage.
However, for the greatest of all time, it was never about a comeback, just about winning and celebrating Independence Day.
“It’s never about me. It’s never even about the hot dogs. It’s the 4th of July. It’s an eating contest, but it’s actually a 4th of July celebration, it’s a celebration in New York. And that contest, it’s hard to describe exactly,” Chestnut said.
Joey Chestnut prepares to compete in the men’s competition at Nathan’s Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York City on July 4, 2025. He returns to compete for a 17th victory after missing the 2024 event due to a sponsorship dispute with Major League Eating. (Adam Gray/Getty Images)
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“It’s an event, it’s more than just a food contest. It’s part of the Fourth of July celebration for New York City, and I’m just a small part of it. And when it comes to that celebration, I’m so happy that I was able to come back and be a part of people’s Fourth of July.”
Chestnut won his first title in 2007, defeating the dynastic devourer that was Takeru Kobayashi. Since then, he has won 17 of the last 18 events he has competed in. Matt Stonie pulled off an upset in 2015.
On his return to Coney Island, Chestnut ate 70 hot dogs, an improvement from the 62 he ate in 2023. Clearly, there are no signs of slowing down. But Chestnut knows that time is ticking and he wants to make the most of it.
“When I was younger, I could gain weight and then lose it very quickly. Now, it’s a lot more work, but I still love it. And I know my body,” Chestnut said. “But as long as I’m competitive, as long as I’m good and healthy. I’m going to participate. I was talking to a guy who’s 58 years old and he’s been doing this since I started. And he can still do it. I said, ‘Okay, I can do this.’ I’ve got a couple more years left and we’ll see.”
Joey Chestnut wins the men’s competition at Nathan’s Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York City on July 4, 2025. He returned to compete for a 17th victory after missing the 2024 event due to a sponsorship dispute with Major League Eating. (Adam Gray/Getty Images)
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“I really feel like it’s one of the best gigs ever. I get to travel, I get to eat and, man, it’s the most fun thing,” Chestnut said. “After I eat, I’m all sweaty, greasy, dirty, and then people want to take photos with me. It’s the funniest thing in the world.”
“As long as I can, I will.”
