CONEY ISLAND, Brooklyn (WPIX) – It’s a tradition unlike any other.
The 2025 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest is back — and the most decorated eater in the contest’s history is returning to the Coney Island stage in hopes of winning another mustard belt.
Joey Chestnut, who holds the Major League Eating record for most hot dogs consumed in 10 minutes (76), will take on top eaters, including last year’s winner, Patrick Bertoletti.
Chestnut was ineligible to compete in 2024 after signing a sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods, a plant-based meat-alternative brand. At the time, organizers of the Nathan’s Famous event said he would not be able to participate because of the sponsorship conflict.
Instead, Chestbut competed in a hot dog eating contest at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, as part of an event for military families stationed there.
Earlier this month, Chestnut announced his return to the Nathan’s competition while acknowledging his 2024 Coney Island absence.
“While I have and continue to partner with a variety of companies, including some in the plant-based space, those relationships were never a conflict with my love for hot dogs,” Chestnut said. “To be clear: Nathan’s is the only hot dog company I’ve ever worked with.”
On social media, Chestnut also said he was “excited” to be participating in the event that made him a household name.
“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,” Chestnut wrote.
How to watch the contest
ESPN has broadcast the annual contest since 2003, and will have it for the 2025 edition. Coverage on ESPN2 will begin on July 4 at 10:45 a.m. and last through the end of the event. The hot dog eating contest is expected to begin at 1 p.m.
If you’re busy celebrating the holiday and can’t catch it live, have no fear. The recording will re-air on ESPN2 at 6 p.m., and on ESPN at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., as well as ESPNews at 11 p.m.
Where is the contest?
As it has for decades, the race to hot dog supremacy will take place right in front of the original Nathan’s Famous on the corner of Surf Avenue and Stillwell Avenue in Coney Island.
Do you need a ticket to see it live?
You do not need a ticket to watch the top eaters from around the world compete for the mustard belt. The expected number of attendants ranges from 35,000 to 50,000, according to visitNYC.
So, if you want to be as close to the action as possible, it’s best to get there early, around 9 a.m., before the weigh-in. Parking fills up faster, with lots charging between $15 and $25, visitNYC reports.
Nexstar’s Addy Bink contributed to this report.