Joey Chestnut Returns to Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest After One-Year Absence

After a controversial hiatus in 2024, competitive eating legend Joey Chestnut is officially returning to the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest in 2025.

Chestnut, a 16-time champion, was notably absent from last year’s competition due to a sponsorship conflict with Impossible Foods, a plant-based company. His deal with the brand violated Major League Eating’s exclusivity rules with Nathan’s, leading to a ban that shocked fans and sparked widespread backlash.

Now, with a new three-year exclusive agreement in place with Nathan’s and Major League Eating, Chestnut is cleared to return — and fans couldn’t be more excited.

Despite missing the Coney Island event in 2024, Chestnut didn’t slow down. He set a personal record last year, eating 83 hot dogs in 10 minutes during the Netflix special “Unfinished Beef”, where he faced off against longtime rival Takeru Kobayashi. Earlier that year, he devoured 57 hot dogs in just five minutes at a military base in Texas, proving he was still at the top of his game.

His official record remains 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes, set at the 2021 Nathan’s contest.

Chestnut will be looking to secure his 17th Nathan’s title this July 4th on Coney Island. Among his challengers are reigning 2024 champ Patrick Bertoletti, who took the mustard belt last year with 58 dogs, and Geoffrey Esper, who qualified with 43.

Nathan’s and Major League Eating are billing Chestnut’s return as a “return to tradition,” and the 2025 contest is already being hyped as one of the most anticipated events in the competition’s long history.

Fans can catch the event live on ESPN, as the July 4th tradition continues — with Joey Chestnut once again front and center.