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Hot Dog King

Nathan’s Hot Dog King Returns: Joey Chestnut Reigns Again in 2025 Showdown

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Joey Chestnut Returns to Glory at Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest 2025

In a blazing comeback marked by flair, focus, and ferocious appetite, Joey Chestnut reclaimed his title at the 2025 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, devouring 70.5 hot dogs and buns in just ten minutes. After a one-year absence, Chestnut outpaced defending champion Patrick Bertoletti and crowd favorite James Webb, reclaiming dominance in the celebrated event. Meanwhile, Miki Sudo secured her 11th women’s title, proving her continued reign. The contest delivered thrills, rivalry, and mouthfuls of record-chasing excitement.

Story Highlights

  • Joey Chestnut returns to Coney Island after a one-year ban and wins with 70.5 hot dogs and buns.

  • Patrick Bertoletti places second with 46.5, followed by James Webb with 45.5.

  • Chestnut missed 2024 due to a dispute over a sponsorship with Impossible Foods.

  • Miki Sudo earns her 11th women’s title with 33 hot dogs, ahead of Michelle Lesco and Domenica Dee.

  • Contest rules: 10 minutes, no utensils or condiments, water allowed, disqualification for vomiting.

  • Event dates back to 1916, held annually at Nathan’s flagship location on Surf and Stillwell, Brooklyn.

On the sun-soaked stage of Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest this Fourth of July, the unmistakable roar of the crowd left no doubt — Joey Chestnut was back, and he was hungry for more than just hot dogs.

After missing the 2024 contest due to a widely publicized dispute with organizers over his partnership with a plant-based hot dog brand, Chestnut returned to reclaim what many considered rightfully his. And he did so in dramatic fashion, swallowing an astounding 70.5 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, securing his place once again at the top of the competitive eating world.

Chestnut’s return wasn’t just about numbers. It was a moment — for fans, for rivals, and for the contest itself.

“I was excited, I love being here,” Chestnut said following his win. “Man, I wish I ate a couple more, I’m sorry guys, but I’ll be back next year.”

The 41-year-old from Westfield, Indiana, was greeted with thunderous chants of “Joey! Joey! Joey!” as he stepped onto the iconic stage at Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island, where the annual event has taken place since 1916.

Although Chestnut’s final count fell short of his own world record of 76, set in 2021, his performance was a statement. It reasserted his dominance in a competition he has now won 17 times.

The Return, The Rivalry, and The Redemption

Patrick Bertoletti, last year’s champion, who seized the opportunity during Chestnut’s absence, put up a solid effort with 46.5 hot dogs and buns, but couldn’t keep pace. Australian competitor James Webb followed closely behind with 45.5.

Bertoletti had earned his first Mustard Yellow Belt in 2024 with 58 hot dogs, but even before the contest began this year, Chestnut had made his intentions clear during the weigh-in.

“Part of me wishes [Bertoletti] was a jerk,” Chestnut admitted with a grin. “It would motivate me harder, but I love him. But I wanna win. I wanna push for a record, so I kinda feel bad for him. ’Cause I’m gonna drop the hammer, and he’s gonna get annihilated.”

In a moment of sportsmanship and reflection, Bertoletti welcomed Chestnut’s return to the fold.

“It felt great last year. I never thought I’d ever win Nathan’s, the contest,” Bertoletti shared. “But it didn’t feel complete without Joey there. So he’s back this year, and it’s better.”

The Women’s Division: Miki Sudo Stays on Top

In the women’s division, Miki Sudo of Tampa, Florida, extended her remarkable streak with her 11th victory, consuming 33 hot dogs and buns in the 10-minute competition. Though she didn’t surpass her own world record of 51, which she set just last year, she maintained her grip on the title.

Sudo faced fierce competition early on from Michelle Lesco and Domenica Dee, who kept pace with her through the first half of the contest. But as the minutes ticked down, Sudo pulled ahead with her trademark composure.

“The hot dogs were great, the weather’s beautiful, the crowd had me going,” she said afterward. “I’m thinking maybe the buns were more filling than usual. It’s OK — a win’s a win. Thank you for the support.”

Lesco finished with 22.75, while Dee followed with 21.5. Sudo’s husband, Nick Wehry, also participated in the men’s division, keeping it a family affair in the world of competitive eating.

A Century-Old Spectacle With Rules That Test Stomachs and Strategy

The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest isn’t just about speed — it’s about precision, strategy, and endurance. The rules are clear: competitors have 10 minutes to eat as many hot dogs and buns as they can. No utensils. No condiments. Just hot dogs, water, and sheer willpower.

The event featured 15 male and 13 female competitors this year, all vying for the symbolic Mustard Yellow Belt and a $10,000 cash prize.

To count, each hot dog and bun must be fully swallowed. Participants are allowed to separate the dog from the bun and dunk the bun in water or a non-alcoholic beverage — but only for a maximum of five seconds. And there’s a catch: if any competitor vomits — a phenomenon known as a “reversal of fortune” — they’re instantly disqualified.

Chestnut once again showcased why he’s considered the king of the competitive eating world. His return not only redefined the competition but reignited the energy that fans have come to expect every Independence Day.

And though he didn’t break a record this year, it’s clear he’s not done yet.

Joey Chestnut’s spectacular return to the 2025 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest was more than a personal triumph — it reaffirmed his legendary status in one of America’s most iconic competitions. With sheer focus and unmatched hunger, Chestnut not only reclaimed his crown but reignited the thrill of competitive eating at Coney Island. Alongside Miki Sudo’s continued dominance in the women’s division, the contest delivered a celebration of stamina, rivalry, and tradition. As the crowd cheered and the mustard belt found its way home, one truth stood clear — the legend still has bite.

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Goats to Battle for Glory in NYC’s First Competitive Graze-Off

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In a spectacle both curious and captivating, West Harlem will soon witness an unprecedented event—Goatham 2025: The Great Goat Graze-Off, the world’s first competitive eating contest featuring only goats. Organized by the Riverside Park Conservancy, this free public event on July 12 brings together five trained goats—Romeo, Mallomar, Butterball, Kash, and Rufus—for a timed weed-eating race. Hosted by George Shea of Major League Eating, this grazing gala aims to spotlight the goats’ vital role in park maintenance while serving an amusing and oddly thrilling feast for the eyes.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Event: Goatham 2025: The Great Goat Graze-Off — a competitive eating contest for goats

  • When: Saturday, July 12 | 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

  • Where: Lawn north of Ten Mile Playground, West 151st St. & West Side Highway

  • Goats Competing: Romeo, Mallomar, Butterball, Kash, and Rufus

  • Purpose: To honor the goats’ role in eliminating invasive plants in Riverside Park

  • Hosted by: George Shea of Major League Eating

  • Entertainment: Live music from NYC’s Nice Brass

  • Entry: Free with RSVP requested

In a twist no one saw coming—but everyone now eagerly anticipates—West Harlem is set to host what may be one of the most unconventional spectacles of the summer: a competitive eating contest featuring not humans, but goats. Titled Goatham 2025: The Great Goat Graze-Off, this unique event will unfold on July 12, turning a quiet patch of Riverside Park into the battleground for a high-stakes, herbivorous showdown.

At the heart of this unusual gathering is a herd of five goats—Romeo, Mallomar, Butterball, Kash, and Rufus—who have become local favorites through their work with the Riverside Park Conservancy. These goats aren’t new to the neighborhood; they’ve spent the past five summers helping to clear the park of invasive plant species like poison ivy. This year, their efforts are being recognized in a whole new way: a fast-paced eating competition where the first goat to finish a set amount of weeds will take the title.

Presiding over this peculiar contest will be George Shea, a familiar voice in the world of competitive eating. Known for hosting the famed Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest and serving as chair of Major League Eating, Shea brings his signature flair to the goat arena.

“We are very excited to get into this,” said Shea.
“In my view, it opens up the entire animal kingdom for our franchise.”

For Major League Eating, an organization that typically oversees sanctioned food contests among human participants, this event marks a rare departure. While the group once attempted a cross-species bun-eating contest involving humans and elephants, Shea admits that the results were less than stellar.

“It was a horrific failure for humanity—we lost so badly,” he recalled.
“But this time, it’s all animals, all the way.”

The goats will be introduced individually in what Shea promises will be a “very grand” fashion, leading up to the main event expected to last a “fairly dramatic” minute. Their mission? To devour a set quantity of invasive plants as quickly as possible. The goat that finishes first will be crowned the champion.

Shea compared the goats’ raw eating power to that of legendary human competitor Joey Chestnut, emphasizing that it’s not about savoring flavor—it’s about speed and sheer determination.

“I’ve seen goats eat weeds, and their ability is remarkable,” Shea said.
“It is similar to a Joey Chestnut, who is less interested in savoring the flavor than he is in productivity—of getting the food down.”

When asked if one goat stood out as a potential favorite, Shea hesitated to reveal any spoilers.

“I don’t want to tip the scales for any wagering that might be happening,” he noted, with a grin.
“But some goats are noticeably better than others and eat faster.”

Profiles of all five competitors are available on the Riverside Park Conservancy’s website, allowing fans to familiarize themselves with the personalities and backgrounds of each grazing contestant.

The Graze-Off is far from the first time these goats have been in the spotlight. In years past, they’ve been featured in public events including a popularity contest where New Yorkers were invited to vote for the Greatest Of All Time—or G.O.A.T.—among the herd. The winner, fittingly, was awarded a wreath, which it immediately ate.

This, however, will be the first official eating competition dedicated to their grazing skills. It promises both entertainment and education, shining a light on how the goats contribute to maintaining Riverside Park’s ecological balance.

“It’s a celebration of their work and their skill,” said a Conservancy spokesperson.
“And a fun way to engage the community with local park care.”

The free event will be held on the lawn just north of the Ten Mile Playground, at West 151st Street and the West Side Highway, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 12. Though admission is open, RSVPs are requested to help the organizers plan.

And it’s not just about the goats. Attendees can also enjoy a performance by Nice Brass, a NYC-based brass band inspired by the vibrant sounds of New Orleans street music. Their lively tunes will add a festive rhythm to the day’s unusual competition.

As West Harlem readies itself for this grass-chomping showdown, all eyes will be on the goats. Whether Romeo’s romantic charm, Mallomar’s cool demeanor, Butterball’s bulk, Kash’s quickness, or Rufus’s reliability will triumph remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: this is not your average Saturday in the park.

As New York City prepares to host Goatham 2025: The Great Goat Graze-Off, Riverside Park is set to transform into a stage of both amusement and admiration. Blending ecological awareness with light-hearted entertainment, this first-of-its-kind goat-only eating contest promises more than just spectacle—it honors the tireless work of these four-legged landscapers. With music, merriment, and a dash of competitive spirit, the event stands as a quirky celebration of nature, community, and creative public engagement. For New Yorkers seeking something delightfully different, this grazing gala may just steal the summer spotlight.

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