The Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest is an annual American hot dog competitive eating competition. It is held each year on July 4 at Nathan's Famous' original, and best-known, restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island, a neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City.
The contest has gained public attention since the mid-2000s due to the stardom of Takeru "The Tsunami" Kobayashi and Joey Chestnut. The defending men's champion is Joey Chestnut, who ate 70.5 hot dogs in the 2025 contest. The defending women's champion is Miki Sudo, who ate 33 hot dogs in 2025.
Infobox
Status
Active
Genre
Hot dog competitive eating competition
Date
July 4
Frequency
Annually
Venue
Nathan's Famous Corporation
Locations
Brooklyn, New York City
Country
United States
Inaugurated
July 4, 1972 (1972-07-04)
Website
Official website
Tables
· Results › By year (color-coded by belt color)
Multi-metric bars
World heat map
2025
2025
Year
2025
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- 70+1⁄2
Contest duration
10 min
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
Year
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
33
2024
2024
Year
2024
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
MEN'S Patrick Bertoletti
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
58
Contest duration
10 min
Note(s)
Joey Chestnut is absent from the men’s event for the first time since 2004, due to a purported sponsorship issue between Chestnut and Major League Eating. Chestnut eats 57 HDB in 5 minutes in a non-sponsored event. Miki Sudo sets a new women’s record, with 51 HDB eaten.
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
Year
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
51
2023
2023
Year
2023
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
62
Contest duration
10 min
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
Year
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
39+1⁄2
2022
2022
Year
2022
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
63
Contest duration
10 min
Note(s)
Miki Sudo returns from her pregnancy to reclaim her title. After being shoved from the table, Joey Chestnut puts a protester who ran onto the stage during the event in a chokehold. Geoffrey Esper (47 HDB) finished second. James Webb (41 HDB) finished third.
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
Year
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
40
2021
2021
Year
2021
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
76
Contest duration
10 min
Note(s)
The event is held at Maimonides Park due to capacity restrictions and other health and safety requirements. Joey Chestnut breaks the world record with 76 HDB. Defending champion Miki Sudo was out due to her pregnancy.
WOMEN'S Michelle Lesco
WOMEN'S Michelle Lesco
Year
WOMEN'S Michelle Lesco
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
30+3⁄4
2020
2020
Year
2020
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
75
Contest duration
10 min
Note(s)
First time event is being held indoors without fans caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Joey Chestnut breaks the world record with 75 HDB. Darron Breeden (42 HDB) finished second. Nick Wehry (39.5 HDB) finished third. Miki Sudo breaks the women's world record with 48.5 HDB.
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
Year
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
48+1⁄2
2019
2019
Year
2019
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
71
Contest duration
10 min
Note(s)
Joey Chestnut won his 12th title. Darron Breeden (50 HDB) finished second. Geoffrey Esper (47 HDB) finished third. Sudo (31 HDB) edged out Lesco (26 HDB) to win her sixth Nathan's belt.
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
Year
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
31
2018
2018
Year
2018
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
74
Contest duration
10 min
Note(s)
After a judging error had left the results in question, the final results showed that Joey Chestnut broke the world record with 74 HDB. Carmen Cincotti (64 HDB) finished second. Darron Breeden (43 HDB) finished third. Sudo won her fifth women's belt. Michelle Lesco (28 HDB) finished second. Sonya Thomas and Juliet Lee (25 HDB) tied for third. This is the last competition that Thomas competed in.
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
Year
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
37
2017
2017
Year
2017
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
72
Contest duration
10 min
Note(s)
Joey Chestnut breaks the contest record with 72 HDB. Carmen Cincotti (60 HDB) finished second. Matt Stonie (48 HDB) finished third. Sudo won her fourth women's title, beating Michelle Lesco (32 HDB) and Thomas (30 HDB).
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
Year
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
41
2016
2016
Year
2016
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
70
Contest duration
10 min
Note(s)
Joey Chestnut won the mustard-colored belt for the ninth time, eating a record-breaking 70 hot dogs and buns. Defending champion Matt Stonie consumed 53 HDB. Sudo (38+1⁄2) won her third consecutive women's title, edging out Thomas (35 HDB). At the Giant National Capital BBQ Battle in Washington, D.C., on June 25, Chestnut set the record of 73.5 in an official qualifier.
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
Year
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
38+1⁄2
2015
2015
Year
2015
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
MEN'S Matt Stonie
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
62
Contest duration
10 min
Note(s)
Matt Stonie ended the 8 year winning streak of Joey Chestnut, eating 62 HDB to Joey's 60. Tim Janus (35 HDB) finished third. Sudo won her second women's belt, beating Thomas (31 HDB).
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
Year
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
38
2014
2014
Year
2014
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
61
Contest duration
10 min
Note(s)
Joey Chestnut faced fierce competition from Matt Stonie, who finished second with 56 HDB. Tim Janus (44 HDB) finished in 3rd. This became Joey's 8th consecutive win. Miki Sudo (34 HDB) dethroned Thomas (27+3⁄4 HDB), the first time in the history of the competition that Thomas had been defeated since the inception of the women's division. Sudo also ended a long tradition by becoming the first champion in a quarter-century to decline to use a nickname during Nathan's competitions.
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
Year
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
34
2013
2013
Year
2013
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
69
Contest duration
10 min
Note(s)
Joey Chestnut beat his own record with 69 HDB. Matt Stonie (51HDB) finished second. Tim Janus (50 HDB) finished in 3rd. After facing fierce competition from Juliet Lee (36 HDB), Thomas (36+3⁄4 HDB) won her third title.
WOMEN'S Sonya Thomas
WOMEN'S Sonya Thomas
Year
WOMEN'S Sonya Thomas
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
36+3⁄4
2012
2012
Year
2012
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
68
Contest duration
10 min
Note(s)
Chestnut tied his previous record, previously set in 2009. He also became the second person to win six consecutive titles. Tim Janus (52.25) and Patrick Bertoletti (51) finish second and third. Matt Stonie, who would go on to claim victory in 2015 finished fourth with 46 HDB. Bob Shoudt was 5th (45 HDB) broke Thomas' record for oldest person to eat their age in HDB (45 yr) Thomas (45 HDB) broke the female record and set a new record for the oldest person to eat their age in HDB (44 yr), beating Juliet Lee (33 HDB).
WOMEN'S Sonya Thomas
WOMEN'S Sonya Thomas
Year
WOMEN'S Sonya Thomas
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
45
2011
2011
Year
2011
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
62
Contest duration
10 min
Note(s)
Separate competitions are held for women and men for the first time since the 1975 one-off event. Chestnut dominates on his way to his fifth straight title. Sonya Thomas (40 HDB) won the inaugural women's event. Patrick Bertoletti (53) and Tim "Eater X" Janus (45) finish 2nd and 3rd for the second year in a row.
WOMEN'S Sonya Thomas
WOMEN'S Sonya Thomas
Year
WOMEN'S Sonya Thomas
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
40
2010
2010
Year
2010
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Joey Chestnut
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
54
Contest duration
10 min
Note(s)
Chestnut (54), Tim "Eater X" Janus (45), and Patrick Bertoletti (37) round out the top three.
2009
2009
Year
2009
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Joey Chestnut
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
68
Contest duration
10 min
Note(s)
Chestnut (68 HDB) beat his previous record in 10 minutes, setting new event, U.S., and world records. Kobayashi (64+1⁄2 HDB) set a Japanese record. Patrick Bertoletti (55 HDB) finished third. Sonya Thomas (41 HDB) broke the female record.
2008
2008
Year
2008
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Joey Chestnut
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
59Eat-off: 5
Contest duration
10 minEat-off: untimed, but completed in 50 sec.
Note(s)
Event, Japanese, U.S., and world records set (59 HDB). First event using the new ten-minute time limit, and first tie and eat-off since 1980. Chestnut & Kobayashi tied for first with 59 in regulation. In overtime Chestnut is the first to finish a plate of 5 HDB in 50 seconds. Kobayashi, losing by 7 seconds, finishes second. Tim Janus finished third with 42.
2007
2007
Year
2007
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Joey Chestnut
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
66
Contest duration
12 min
Note(s)
Having broken the world and U.S. records with 59+1⁄2 HDB at a qualifier contest on June 2, 2007, Chestnut (66 HDB) finishes first, setting new event, U.S. and world records. Defeating Kobayashi (63 HDB) for the first time. Fifth place Sonya Thomas (39 HDB) sets female record.
2006
2006
Year
2006
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Takeru Kobayashi
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
53+3⁄4
Contest duration
12 min
Note(s)
Winner Kobayashi sets event, Japanese and world records. Second place Joey Chestnut (52 HDB), sets U.S. record. Sonya Thomas (37) finishes third.
2005
2005
Year
2005
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Takeru Kobayashi
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
49
Contest duration
12 min
Note(s)
2nd: Sonya Thomas (37) sets U.S. record, Women's record. Future winner Joey Chestnut finishes third with 32.
2004
2004
Year
2004
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Takeru Kobayashi
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
53+1⁄2
Contest duration
12 min
Note(s)
Event, United States and world records set. 2nd: Nobuyuki Shirota (38), Sonya Thomas (32 HDB) sets the female and U.S. records.
2003
2003
Year
2003
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Takeru Kobayashi
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
44+1⁄2
Contest duration
12 min
Note(s)
Sonya Thomas (25 HDB) sets the female record. 2nd: Ed Jarvis (30+1⁄2, American record), 3rd: Eric Booker (29). Twenty competitors and 3,000 spectators in attendance. William "The Refrigerator" Perry competes, but eats only four HDB and drops out after five minutes.
2002
2002
Year
2002
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Takeru Kobayashi
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
50+1⁄2
Contest duration
12 min
Note(s)
Event, Japanese and world records set.
2001
2001
Year
2001
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Takeru Kobayashi
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
50
Contest duration
12 min
Note(s)
20 competitors total. All-time world records set. 2nd: Kazutoyo Arai (31), 3rd: Eric "Badlands" Booker (22).
2000
2000
Year
2000
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Kazutoyo Arai
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
25+1⁄8
Contest duration
12 min
Note(s)
The contest was won by a 100-pound 32-year-old mattress salesman from Saitama, Japan. The prizes were "the coveted mustard-yellow International Belt, a huge red trophy, and 20 pounds of Nathan's hot dogs." Misao Fujita (also known as "Wild Beast") of Japan was the runner-up and consumed 24 hot dogs. A woman, Takako Akasaka of Japan, was the third-place finisher and consumed 22 hot dogs. 41 year old locomotive machinist Steve Addicks of Finksburg, Maryland, was the fourth-place finisher and consumed 21 hot dogs. 391-pound, 35 year old reigning champion Steve Keiner of Atlantic City, New Jersey "finished in the middle of the pack" and consumed 15 hot dogs. "Dozens" of contestants participated. A press account from the time describes this as an annual contest held regularly since 1916. Another describes this as the 85th annual contest.
1999
1999
Year
1999
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Steve Keiner
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
21+1⁄2
Contest duration
12 min
Note(s)
The contest was won by a 317-pound, 50-year-old man from Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. The prize was the bejeweled mustard-colored belt and 60 pounds of hot dogs. Footage recorded by NY1 appeared to show that he actually consumed half of a hot dog before the starting gun was fired and should have been disqualified by the judges. Charles Hardy and Bartoszek Tadeusz, both of Brooklyn, were the runners-up and consumed 20 hot dogs each. Hardy charged that he could have consumed more had he been given another plate of hot dogs before time expired. 134-pound, reigning champion Hirofumi Nakajima of Japan consumed 19 hot dogs. Former champion Mike DeVito also participated.
1998
1998
Year
1998
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Hirofumi Nakajima
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
19
Contest duration
12 min
Note(s)
The contest was won by the reigning champion, a 135-pound, 23 year old furniture delivery worker from Kōfu, Japan. The prizes were "the coveted mustard-yellow International Belt, a huge red trophy, and 20 pounds of Nathan's hot dogs." A 387-pound, 29 year old corrections officer from Brooklyn, Charles "Hungry" Hardy, was the runner-up and consumed 17+1⁄2 hot dogs. 381-pound, 35 year old mechanical engineer and former champion Ed Krachie came out of retirement in a vain attempt to break Japan's win streak but was the third-place finisher and consumed 14 hot dogs. A 53 year old haggis-eating champion from the United Kingdom, Barry Noble, also participated. In all, 16 contestants participated.
1997
1997
Year
1997
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Hirofumi Nakajima
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
24+1⁄2
Contest duration
12 min
Note(s)
Although Nathan's attempted to expand its pool of American contestants by sponsoring "a circuit of qualifying contests leading up to the grand finale on the Fourth", Japanese contestants continued to increase their influence. The contest was won by the reigning champion, a 135-pound, 22 year old furniture delivery worker from Kōfu, Japan. The prizes were "a large emerald and brass trophy, a Mustard-Yellow International Belt, and a 20-pack take-out order for Nathan's hot dogs." 100-pound, 30 year old future champion Kazutoyo Arai of Saitama, Japan was the runner-up and consumed 24 hot dogs. 330-pound, 34 year old former champion Ed Krachie was the third-place finisher and consumed 20 hot dogs. 23 contestants participated. A press account from the time describes this as an annual contest held regularly since 1916.
1996
1996
Year
1996
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
ONE-ON-ONE CHALLENGE WITH JAPAN Hirofumi NakajimaDecember 4
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
23+1⁄4
Contest duration
12 min
Note(s)
The contest was won by the reigning champion, a 300-pound man from Queens. The prizes apparently included the bejeweled mustard-yellow belt and a trophy, if not more. Former champion Mike DeVito was the runner-up and consumed 20 hot dogs. 200-pound, 42 year old Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa was also a contestant. 20 contestants participated. A press account from the time describes this as an annual contest held regularly since 1916, except for 1939, 1940, and 1941—this time held under the moniker "Battle of the Burroughs". A later 1996 contest was also sponsored by Nathan's (and TV Tokyo), but was held at Central Park instead of at its traditional location. It was won by a 144-pound, 22-year-old man from Japan; he had never eaten a hot dog until the day before the competition. The prizes were the bejeweled mustard-yellow belt and $2,000. 320-pound, 33 year old mechanical engineer Ed Krachie of New York was the runner-up. Only those 2 contestants participated.
Ed KrachieIndependence Day
Ed KrachieIndependence Day
Year
Ed KrachieIndependence Day
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
22
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
12 min
1995
1995
Year
1995
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Ed KrachieIndependence Day
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
19+1⁄2
Contest duration
12 min
Note(s)
The contest was won by a 350-pound NYNEX engineer from Queens. 205-pound, 33 year old Salomon Brothers vice president and reigning champion Mike DeVito of Manalapan Township, New Jersey, was the runner-up and consumed 19 hot dogs.
1994
1994
Year
1994
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Mike DeVitoIndependence Day
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
20
Contest duration
12 min
Note(s)
The contest was won by the reigning champion, a 32 year old accountant. Future champion Ed Krachie was the runner-up. 40 year old Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa was the third-place finisher and consumed 13 hot dogs.
1993
1993
Year
1993
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
ONE-ON-ONE CHALLENGE WITH JAPAN Mike DeVitoOctober 27
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
18
Contest duration
30 min
Note(s)
The contest was won by a former champion, a Wall Street brokerage firm worker from Manalapan Township, New Jersey. The prize was 365 hot dogs. Joe Gotay of Brooklyn was the runner-up and consumed 14+1⁄2 hot dogs. Willie Dykstra of Brooklyn was the top female contestant and consumed 7+1⁄2 hot dogs. 18 men and 2 women participated. The reigning champion, 290-pound Frankie Dellarosa of Brooklyn, "canceled out at the last minute due to a family emergency" and was unable to defend his title. Instead, he declared that he was now retired from competitions and planned to pursue an acting career, something that he would later have a modest success in. A press account from the time describes this as the 77th annual contest, held regularly since 1916. A later 1993 contest was also sponsored by Nathan's (and recorded by TV Tokyo), but was held under the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan instead of at its traditional location. It was won by reigning champion DeVito. Years later it was stated that the prize was the bejeweled mustard-colored belt "created by the descendants of Fabergé" that remains in use today but had supposedly been held in Japan for some years after having been won by a Japanese contestant at Nathan's (presumably at the February 11, 1986, competition). The earliest that the belt's existence is known to be covered by the press is 1996. A woman, Orio Ito of Japan, was the runner-up and consumed 16 hot dogs. Only those 2 contestants participated.
Mike DeVitoIndependence Day
Mike DeVitoIndependence Day
Year
Mike DeVitoIndependence Day
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
17
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
12 min
1992
1992
Year
1992
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Frankie DellarosaIndependence Day
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
19
Contest duration
12 min
Note(s)
The contest was won by the reigning champion. The prize was 365 hot dogs. Former and future champion Mike DeVito was the runner-up and consumed 17 hot dogs. 18 contestants participated. A press account from the time describes this as the 76th annual contest.
1991
1991
Year
1991
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Frankie DellarosaIndependence Day
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
21
Contest duration
12 min
Note(s)
The contest was won by a 270-pound, 23 year old engineer and part-time Hofstra University football coach from Queens. The prize was "a 3-foot trophy, topped with an athlete, plate, and hot dog. He also received hats, cups, and a year's supply of hot dogs." 20 contestants participated. A press account from the time describes this as the 75th annual contest, this time held under the motto "No Guts, No Glory".
1990
1990
Year
1990
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Mike DeVito Jay GreenIndependence Day
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
15
Contest duration
12 min
Note(s)
The contest was tied by the reigning champion, from Brooklyn, (Green) who was allowed to compete again despite previous contest rules, and a 28 year old from Staten Island (DeVito). There was apparently no tie-breaking eat-off. A press account from the time describes this as the 7th annual contest.
1989
1989
Year
1989
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Jay GreenIndependence Day
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
15+1⁄2
Contest duration
12 min
Note(s)
The contest was won by the reigning champion, a 215-pound, 31 year old dry wall contractor, who, as per contest rules, was declared "retired" after the competition for being a two-time winner. 24 contestants participated. A press account from the time describes this as the 73rd annual contest.
1988
1988
Year
1988
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Jay GreenIndependence Day
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
10
Contest duration
12 min
Note(s)
The contest was won by a 30 year old limousine service manager from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. 13 contestants participated. A press account from the time describes this as the 72nd annual contest.
1987
1987
Year
1987
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Don WolfmanIndependence Day
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
13+1⁄2
Contest duration
10 min
Note(s)
29 year old future champion Jay Green was the runner-up and consumed 13+1⁄4 hot dogs. A press account from the time describes this as the 71st annual contest.
1986
1986
Year
1986
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Mark HellerIndependence Day
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
15+1⁄2
Contest duration
10 min
Note(s)
The contest was won by a 245-pound man; the prizes were a plaque and a year supply of hot dogs. Robert Gerber was the runner-up and consumed 13 hot dogs. 24 men participated. A press account from the time describes this as the 70th annual contest, held regularly since 1916. An earlier 1986 contest was also sponsored by Nathan's. It was won by a 264-pound, 21-year-old student from Tokyo, Japan. Reigning champion Oscar Rodriguez was the runner-up and consumed 9+1⁄2 hot dogs. Only those 2 contestants participated.
ONE-ON-ONE CHALLENGE WITH JAPAN Hiroaki TominagaFebruary 11
ONE-ON-ONE CHALLENGE WITH JAPAN Hiroaki TominagaFebruary 11
Year
ONE-ON-ONE CHALLENGE WITH JAPAN Hiroaki TominagaFebruary 11
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
10+1⁄2
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
10 min
1985
1985
Year
1985
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Oscar RodriguezIndependence Day
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
11+3⁄4
Contest duration
12 min
Note(s)
The contest was won by a 21-year-old man. More than 40 contestants participated.
1984
1984
Year
1984
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Birgit FeldenIndependence Day
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
9+1⁄2
Contest duration
10 min
Note(s)
The contest was won by a 130-pound, 17 year old West German women's judo team member from Cologne; she had never eaten a hot dog before the competition. Publicist Morty Matz described her as being only the second female to have ever won the contest. 17 year old U.S. women's judo team member Jean Kanokogi (and daughter of Ryohei and Rusty Kanokogi) of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn was the runner-up and consumed 8 hot dogs. 20 men and 4 women participated. A press account from the time describes this as the 68th annual contest.
1983
1983
Year
1983
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Emil GomezIndependence Day
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
10+1⁄2
Contest duration
10 min
Note(s)
The contest was won by a 210-pound, 25 year old accountant from the Bronx. His brother, Andre Gomez, was the runner-up and consumed 10 hot dogs. 11 contestants participated. A press account from the time describes this as the 17th annual contest.
1982
1982
Year
1982
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Steven AbramsIndependence Day(observed July 5)
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
11+
Contest duration
10 min
Note(s)
The contest was held on Monday, July 5, the observed date of Independence Day, as the holiday fell on a Sunday. It was won by a 26 year old from Flushing, Queens. He ate one bite of a twelfth hot dog. Sid Smith of Brooklyn was the runner-up and consumed 10 hot dogs, and Risto Puulos of Helsinki was the third-place finisher and consumed 8.
1981
1981
Year
1981
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Thomas DeBerryIndependence Day
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
11
Contest duration
5 min
Note(s)
The contest was won by a 35 year old Housing Authority gardener from Coney Island, Brooklyn. He "downed 11 hot dogs in five minutes and then rushed off with his family to attend a barbecue."
1980
1980
Year
1980
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Joe Baldini Paul SiedermanIndependence Day
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
9+3⁄4+Eat-off: 3+1⁄2
Contest duration
10 minEat-off: 3 min
Note(s)
The contest was tied by a 190-pound, 25 year old unemployed pharmacist (Baldini) and a 260-pound, 21 year old unemployed actor (Siederman), both from Brooklyn. Each then tied again after a tie-breaking eat-off. The prizes were "two trophies and a pair of yellow plastic bags". Reigning co-champion Jim Mattner was the third-place finisher and consumed approximately 9 hot dogs. 28 contestants participated. A press account from the time describes this as the 64th annual contest.
1979
1979
Year
1979
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Luther Frazier Jim MattnerIndependence Day
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
10Eat-off: 3+1⁄2
Contest duration
10 minEat-off: 3+1⁄2 min
Note(s)
The contest was tied by a 172-pound 17-year-old boy from Brooklyn (Frazier) and a 205-pound, 35 year old bond dealer from Ozone Park, Queens (Mattner). Each then tied again after a tie-breaking eat-off. They consumed what was considered a "record" number of hot dogs, when including the eat-off total. A press account from the time describes this as the 63rd annual contest.
1978
1978
Year
1978
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Manel Hollenback Kevin SinclairMemorial Day
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
10
Contest duration
6+1⁄2 min
Note(s)
The contest was held on Memorial Day and was tied by a 180-pound, 18 year old basketball player from Newark, New Jersey (Hollenback) and a 75-pound, 10-year-old student (Sinclair). There was apparently no tie-breaking eat-off. 28 contestants participated. A press account from the time describes this as an annual contest held regularly since 1917, except for 1942 and 1944.
1976–1977
1976–1977
Year
1976–1977
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
(no documented contests)
1975
1975
Year
1975
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
MEN'S Lonnie BrownMemorial Day
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
8
Contest duration
3+1⁄2 min, with a 1 min break
Note(s)
An all-female contest was originally scheduled to be held on Memorial Day with the winner to be declared "Miss Coney Island;" the contest was won by a 30 year old market researcher from Manhattan. A contemporary press account indicates that when the contest was held it was ultimately decided to allow men to participate and that the top-finishing male was awarded a plaque; he was a 28 year old National Guardsman from Far Rockaway, Queens. 15 contestants participated.
WOMEN'S Sharlene SmithMemorial Day
WOMEN'S Sharlene SmithMemorial Day
Year
WOMEN'S Sharlene SmithMemorial Day
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
8+1⁄2
1974
1974
Year
1974
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Walter Paul Paul SiropLabor Day
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
(unknown)
Contest duration
(unknown)
Note(s)
The first 1974 contest was held on April 7 (opening day for Coney Island's summer season activities) and was won by a 22 year old Manhattan Community College student from Astoria, Queens; the prize was a trophy. Six contestants participated. The second 1974 contest was held on Independence Day and was won by a 185-pound, 24 year old from Brooklyn; the prize was "a trophy with an emblazoned hot dog on it". The third 1974 contest was held on Labor Day and was tied by Walter Paul—the event's first two-time winner—and Paul Sirop. There was apparently no tie-breaking eat-off.
Roberto MurielIndependence Day
Roberto MurielIndependence Day
Year
Roberto MurielIndependence Day
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
10
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
3+1⁄2 min
John ConnollyOpening day of Coney Island's summer season(April 7)
John ConnollyOpening day of Coney Island's summer season(April 7)
Year
John ConnollyOpening day of Coney Island's summer season(April 7)
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
9
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
2+1⁄2 min
1973
1973
Year
1973
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
(unknown)Independence Day
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
(unknown)
Contest duration
(unknown)
Note(s)
The first 1973 contest was scheduled to be held on April 7 (opening day for Coney Island's summer season activities) but was canceled due to the 1973 meat boycott. A press account from the time describes this to have been the 23rd annual contest. A contest was scheduled to be held on Independence Day (designated as the 106th anniversary of the invention of the hot dog) and refereed by the "1973 Hot Dog Queen", but no results are known to have been compiled and released to the public.
(canceled)Opening day of Coney Island's summer season(April 7)
(canceled)Opening day of Coney Island's summer season(April 7)
Year
(canceled)Opening day of Coney Island's summer season(April 7)
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
—
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
—
1972
1972
Year
1972
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Melody AndorferLabor Day
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
12
Contest duration
5 min
Note(s)
The first 1972 contest was held on Memorial Day and was won by a Brooklyn College student; the prize "was a book of certificates for forty more hot dogs". The second 1972 contest was held on Labor Day and was won by a 105-pound, 18-year-old female community activist from Astoria, Queens; the prize was a paper crown (on July 2, 2021, she received a belt similar to those awarded to recent winners, for her past achievement). 260-pound, 19 year old Gary Silverman of Brooklyn was the runner-up and consumed 10 hot dogs. 8 men and 8 women participated. A press account from the time describes this as the 23rd annual contest. In 2020, the Coney Island History Project interviewed Andorfer.
Jason SchechterMemorial Day
Jason SchechterMemorial Day
Year
Jason SchechterMemorial Day
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
14
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
3+1⁄2 min
1968–1971
1968–1971
Year
1968–1971
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
(no documented contests)
1967
1967
Year
1967
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Walter PaulCentennial celebration of the invention of the hot dog(June 30)
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
17a
Contest duration
60 min
Note(s)
The contest was held on June 30 (designated as the 100th anniversary of the invention of the hot dog) and was won by a 400-pound, 32 year old truck driver. The prize was "a trophy proclaiming him the world's champion hot dog eater." He consumed the hot dogs over the period of "one hour flat". It is not immediately clear if he ate buns with the hot dogs.
Ranked list
Year
Winner(and date, if prior to permanently moving all contests to Independence Day in 1997)
Hot dogs and buns(HDB)
Contest duration
Note(s)
2025
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
mw- .mw- 70+1⁄2
10 min
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
33
2024
MEN'S Patrick Bertoletti
58
10 min
Joey Chestnut is absent from the men’s event for the first time since 2004, due to a purported sponsorship issue between Chestnut and Major League Eating. Chestnut eats 57 HDB in 5 minutes in a non-sponsored event. Miki Sudo sets a new women’s record, with 51 HDB eaten.
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
51
2023
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
62
10 min
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
39+1⁄2
2022
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
63
10 min
Miki Sudo returns from her pregnancy to reclaim her title. After being shoved from the table, Joey Chestnut puts a protester who ran onto the stage during the event in a chokehold. Geoffrey Esper (47 HDB) finished second. James Webb (41 HDB) finished third.
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
40
2021
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
76
10 min
The event is held at Maimonides Park due to capacity restrictions and other health and safety requirements. Joey Chestnut breaks the world record with 76 HDB. Defending champion Miki Sudo was out due to her pregnancy.
WOMEN'S Michelle Lesco
30+3⁄4
2020
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
75
10 min
First time event is being held indoors without fans caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Joey Chestnut breaks the world record with 75 HDB. Darron Breeden (42 HDB) finished second. Nick Wehry (39.5 HDB) finished third. Miki Sudo breaks the women's world record with 48.5 HDB.
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
48+1⁄2
2019
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
71
10 min
Joey Chestnut won his 12th title. Darron Breeden (50 HDB) finished second. Geoffrey Esper (47 HDB) finished third. Sudo (31 HDB) edged out Lesco (26 HDB) to win her sixth Nathan's belt.
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
31
2018
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
74
10 min
After a judging error had left the results in question, the final results showed that Joey Chestnut broke the world record with 74 HDB. Carmen Cincotti (64 HDB) finished second. Darron Breeden (43 HDB) finished third. Sudo won her fifth women's belt. Michelle Lesco (28 HDB) finished second. Sonya Thomas and Juliet Lee (25 HDB) tied for third. This is the last competition that Thomas competed in.
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
37
2017
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
72
10 min
Joey Chestnut breaks the contest record with 72 HDB. Carmen Cincotti (60 HDB) finished second. Matt Stonie (48 HDB) finished third. Sudo won her fourth women's title, beating Michelle Lesco (32 HDB) and Thomas (30 HDB).
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
41
2016
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
70
10 min
Joey Chestnut won the mustard-colored belt for the ninth time, eating a record-breaking 70 hot dogs and buns. Defending champion Matt Stonie consumed 53 HDB. Sudo (38+1⁄2) won her third consecutive women's title, edging out Thomas (35 HDB). At the Giant National Capital BBQ Battle in Washington, D.C., on June 25, Chestnut set the record of 73.5 in an official qualifier.
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
38+1⁄2
2015
MEN'S Matt Stonie
62
10 min
Matt Stonie ended the 8 year winning streak of Joey Chestnut, eating 62 HDB to Joey's 60. Tim Janus (35 HDB) finished third. Sudo won her second women's belt, beating Thomas (31 HDB).
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
38
2014
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
61
10 min
Joey Chestnut faced fierce competition from Matt Stonie, who finished second with 56 HDB. Tim Janus (44 HDB) finished in 3rd. This became Joey's 8th consecutive win. Miki Sudo (34 HDB) dethroned Thomas (27+3⁄4 HDB), the first time in the history of the competition that Thomas had been defeated since the inception of the women's division. Sudo also ended a long tradition by becoming the first champion in a quarter-century to decline to use a nickname during Nathan's competitions.
WOMEN'S Miki Sudo
34
2013
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
69
10 min
Joey Chestnut beat his own record with 69 HDB. Matt Stonie (51HDB) finished second. Tim Janus (50 HDB) finished in 3rd. After facing fierce competition from Juliet Lee (36 HDB), Thomas (36+3⁄4 HDB) won her third title.
WOMEN'S Sonya Thomas
36+3⁄4
2012
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
68
10 min
Chestnut tied his previous record, previously set in 2009. He also became the second person to win six consecutive titles. Tim Janus (52.25) and Patrick Bertoletti (51) finish second and third. Matt Stonie, who would go on to claim victory in 2015 finished fourth with 46 HDB. Bob Shoudt was 5th (45 HDB) broke Thomas' record for oldest person to eat their age in HDB (45 yr) Thomas (45 HDB) broke the female record and set a new record for the oldest person to eat their age in HDB (44 yr), beating Juliet Lee (33 HDB).
WOMEN'S Sonya Thomas
45
2011
MEN'S Joey Chestnut
62
10 min
Separate competitions are held for women and men for the first time since the 1975 one-off event. Chestnut dominates on his way to his fifth straight title. Sonya Thomas (40 HDB) won the inaugural women's event. Patrick Bertoletti (53) and Tim "Eater X" Janus (45) finish 2nd and 3rd for the second year in a row.
WOMEN'S Sonya Thomas
40
2010
Joey Chestnut
54
10 min
Chestnut (54), Tim "Eater X" Janus (45), and Patrick Bertoletti (37) round out the top three.
2009
Joey Chestnut
68
10 min
Chestnut (68 HDB) beat his previous record in 10 minutes, setting new event, U.S., and world records. Kobayashi (64+1⁄2 HDB) set a Japanese record. Patrick Bertoletti (55 HDB) finished third. Sonya Thomas (41 HDB) broke the female record.
2008
Joey Chestnut
59Eat-off: 5
10 minEat-off: untimed, but completed in 50 sec.
Event, Japanese, U.S., and world records set (59 HDB). First event using the new ten-minute time limit, and first tie and eat-off since 1980. Chestnut & Kobayashi tied for first with 59 in regulation. In overtime Chestnut is the first to finish a plate of 5 HDB in 50 seconds. Kobayashi, losing by 7 seconds, finishes second. Tim Janus finished third with 42.
2007
Joey Chestnut
66
12 min
Having broken the world and U.S. records with 59+1⁄2 HDB at a qualifier contest on June 2, 2007, Chestnut (66 HDB) finishes first, setting new event, U.S. and world records. Defeating Kobayashi (63 HDB) for the first time. Fifth place Sonya Thomas (39 HDB) sets female record.
2006
Takeru Kobayashi
53+3⁄4
12 min
Winner Kobayashi sets event, Japanese and world records. Second place Joey Chestnut (52 HDB), sets U.S. record. Sonya Thomas (37) finishes third.
2005
Takeru Kobayashi
49
12 min
2nd: Sonya Thomas (37) sets U.S. record, Women's record. Future winner Joey Chestnut finishes third with 32.
2004
Takeru Kobayashi
53+1⁄2
12 min
Event, United States and world records set. 2nd: Nobuyuki Shirota (38), Sonya Thomas (32 HDB) sets the female and U.S. records.
2003
Takeru Kobayashi
44+1⁄2
12 min
Sonya Thomas (25 HDB) sets the female record. 2nd: Ed Jarvis (30+1⁄2, American record), 3rd: Eric Booker (29). Twenty competitors and 3,000 spectators in attendance. William "The Refrigerator" Perry competes, but eats only four HDB and drops out after five minutes.
2002
Takeru Kobayashi
50+1⁄2
12 min
Event, Japanese and world records set.
2001
Takeru Kobayashi
50
12 min
20 competitors total. All-time world records set. 2nd: Kazutoyo Arai (31), 3rd: Eric "Badlands" Booker (22).
2000
Kazutoyo Arai
25+1⁄8
12 min
The contest was won by a 100-pound 32-year-old mattress salesman from Saitama, Japan. The prizes were "the coveted mustard-yellow International Belt, a huge red trophy, and 20 pounds of Nathan's hot dogs." Misao Fujita (also known as "Wild Beast") of Japan was the runner-up and consumed 24 hot dogs. A woman, Takako Akasaka of Japan, was the third-place finisher and consumed 22 hot dogs. 41 year old locomotive machinist Steve Addicks of Finksburg, Maryland, was the fourth-place finisher and consumed 21 hot dogs. 391-pound, 35 year old reigning champion Steve Keiner of Atlantic City, New Jersey "finished in the middle of the pack" and consumed 15 hot dogs. "Dozens" of contestants participated. A press account from the time describes this as an annual contest held regularly since 1916. Another describes this as the 85th annual contest.
1999
Steve Keiner
21+1⁄2
12 min
The contest was won by a 317-pound, 50-year-old man from Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. The prize was the bejeweled mustard-colored belt and 60 pounds of hot dogs. Footage recorded by NY1 appeared to show that he actually consumed half of a hot dog before the starting gun was fired and should have been disqualified by the judges. Charles Hardy and Bartoszek Tadeusz, both of Brooklyn, were the runners-up and consumed 20 hot dogs each. Hardy charged that he could have consumed more had he been given another plate of hot dogs before time expired. 134-pound, reigning champion Hirofumi Nakajima of Japan consumed 19 hot dogs. Former champion Mike DeVito also participated.
1998
Hirofumi Nakajima
19
12 min
The contest was won by the reigning champion, a 135-pound, 23 year old furniture delivery worker from Kōfu, Japan. The prizes were "the coveted mustard-yellow International Belt, a huge red trophy, and 20 pounds of Nathan's hot dogs." A 387-pound, 29 year old corrections officer from Brooklyn, Charles "Hungry" Hardy, was the runner-up and consumed 17+1⁄2 hot dogs. 381-pound, 35 year old mechanical engineer and former champion Ed Krachie came out of retirement in a vain attempt to break Japan's win streak but was the third-place finisher and consumed 14 hot dogs. A 53 year old haggis-eating champion from the United Kingdom, Barry Noble, also participated. In all, 16 contestants participated.
1997
Hirofumi Nakajima
24+1⁄2
12 min
Although Nathan's attempted to expand its pool of American contestants by sponsoring "a circuit of qualifying contests leading up to the grand finale on the Fourth", Japanese contestants continued to increase their influence. The contest was won by the reigning champion, a 135-pound, 22 year old furniture delivery worker from Kōfu, Japan. The prizes were "a large emerald and brass trophy, a Mustard-Yellow International Belt, and a 20-pack take-out order for Nathan's hot dogs." 100-pound, 30 year old future champion Kazutoyo Arai of Saitama, Japan was the runner-up and consumed 24 hot dogs. 330-pound, 34 year old former champion Ed Krachie was the third-place finisher and consumed 20 hot dogs. 23 contestants participated. A press account from the time describes this as an annual contest held regularly since 1916.
1996
ONE-ON-ONE CHALLENGE WITH JAPAN Hirofumi NakajimaDecember 4
23+1⁄4
12 min
The contest was won by the reigning champion, a 300-pound man from Queens. The prizes apparently included the bejeweled mustard-yellow belt and a trophy, if not more. Former champion Mike DeVito was the runner-up and consumed 20 hot dogs. 200-pound, 42 year old Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa was also a contestant. 20 contestants participated. A press account from the time describes this as an annual contest held regularly since 1916, except for 1939, 1940, and 1941—this time held under the moniker "Battle of the Burroughs". A later 1996 contest was also sponsored by Nathan's (and TV Tokyo), but was held at Central Park instead of at its traditional location. It was won by a 144-pound, 22-year-old man from Japan; he had never eaten a hot dog until the day before the competition. The prizes were the bejeweled mustard-yellow belt and $2,000. 320-pound, 33 year old mechanical engineer Ed Krachie of New York was the runner-up. Only those 2 contestants participated.
Ed KrachieIndependence Day
22
12 min
1995
Ed KrachieIndependence Day
19+1⁄2
12 min
The contest was won by a 350-pound NYNEX engineer from Queens. 205-pound, 33 year old Salomon Brothers vice president and reigning champion Mike DeVito of Manalapan Township, New Jersey, was the runner-up and consumed 19 hot dogs.
1994
Mike DeVitoIndependence Day
20
12 min
The contest was won by the reigning champion, a 32 year old accountant. Future champion Ed Krachie was the runner-up. 40 year old Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa was the third-place finisher and consumed 13 hot dogs.
1993
ONE-ON-ONE CHALLENGE WITH JAPAN Mike DeVitoOctober 27
18
30 min
The contest was won by a former champion, a Wall Street brokerage firm worker from Manalapan Township, New Jersey. The prize was 365 hot dogs. Joe Gotay of Brooklyn was the runner-up and consumed 14+1⁄2 hot dogs. Willie Dykstra of Brooklyn was the top female contestant and consumed 7+1⁄2 hot dogs. 18 men and 2 women participated. The reigning champion, 290-pound Frankie Dellarosa of Brooklyn, "canceled out at the last minute due to a family emergency" and was unable to defend his title. Instead, he declared that he was now retired from competitions and planned to pursue an acting career, something that he would later have a modest success in. A press account from the time describes this as the 77th annual contest, held regularly since 1916. A later 1993 contest was also sponsored by Nathan's (and recorded by TV Tokyo), but was held under the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan instead of at its traditional location. It was won by reigning champion DeVito. Years later it was stated that the prize was the bejeweled mustard-colored belt "created by the descendants of Fabergé" that remains in use today but had supposedly been held in Japan for some years after having been won by a Japanese contestant at Nathan's (presumably at the February 11, 1986, competition). The earliest that the belt's existence is known to be covered by the press is 1996. A woman, Orio Ito of Japan, was the runner-up and consumed 16 hot dogs. Only those 2 contestants participated.
· Results › By champion
Multi-metric bars
World heat map
Joey Chestnut
Joey Chestnut
No. of Titles
17
Name
Joey Chestnut
Year(s)
2007–2014, 2016–2023, 2025
Miki Sudo
Miki Sudo
No. of Titles
11
Name
Miki Sudo
Year(s)
2014–2020, 2022–2025
Takeru Kobayashi
Takeru Kobayashi
No. of Titles
6
Name
Takeru Kobayashi
Year(s)
2001–2006
Mike DeVito
Mike DeVito
No. of Titles
4
Name
Mike DeVito
Year(s)
1990,a 1993 (Independence Day & October 27)–1994
Jay Green
Jay Green
No. of Titles
3
Name
Jay Green
Year(s)
1988–1990a
Hirofumi Nakajima
Hirofumi Nakajima
No. of Titles
3
Name
Hirofumi Nakajima
Year(s)
1996 (December 4)–1998
Sonya Thomas
Sonya Thomas
No. of Titles
3
Name
Sonya Thomas
Year(s)
2011–2013
Frankie Dellarosa
Frankie Dellarosa
No. of Titles
2
Name
Frankie Dellarosa
Year(s)
1991–1992
Ed Krachie
Ed Krachie
No. of Titles
2
Name
Ed Krachie
Year(s)
1995–1996
Walter Paul
Walter Paul
No. of Titles
2
Name
Walter Paul
Year(s)
1967 (Centennial celebration of the invention of the hot dog), 1974 (Labor Day)a
Steven Abrams
Steven Abrams
No. of Titles
1
Name
Steven Abrams
Year(s)
1982
Melody Andorfer
Melody Andorfer
No. of Titles
1
Name
Melody Andorfer
Year(s)
1972 (Labor Day)
Kazutoyo Arai
Kazutoyo Arai
No. of Titles
1
Name
Kazutoyo Arai
Year(s)
2000
Joe Baldini
Joe Baldini
No. of Titles
1
Name
Joe Baldini
Year(s)
1980a
Patrick Bertoletti
Patrick Bertoletti
No. of Titles
1
Name
Patrick Bertoletti
Year(s)
2024
Lonnie Brown
Lonnie Brown
No. of Titles
1
Name
Lonnie Brown
Year(s)
1975 (Memorial Day)
John Connolly
John Connolly
No. of Titles
1
Name
John Connolly
Year(s)
1974 (Opening day of Coney Island's summer season)
Thomas DeBerry
Thomas DeBerry
No. of Titles
1
Name
Thomas DeBerry
Year(s)
1981
Birgit Felden
Birgit Felden
No. of Titles
1
Name
Birgit Felden
Year(s)
1984
Luther Frazier
Luther Frazier
No. of Titles
1
Name
Luther Frazier
Year(s)
1979a
Emil Gomez
Emil Gomez
No. of Titles
1
Name
Emil Gomez
Year(s)
1983
Mark Heller
Mark Heller
No. of Titles
1
Name
Mark Heller
Year(s)
1986
Manel Hollenback
Manel Hollenback
No. of Titles
1
Name
Manel Hollenback
Year(s)
1978a
Steve Keiner
Steve Keiner
No. of Titles
1
Name
Steve Keiner
Year(s)
1999
Michelle Lesco
Michelle Lesco
No. of Titles
1
Name
Michelle Lesco
Year(s)
2021
Jim Mattner
Jim Mattner
No. of Titles
1
Name
Jim Mattner
Year(s)
1979a
Roberto Muriel
Roberto Muriel
No. of Titles
1
Name
Roberto Muriel
Year(s)
1974
Oscar Rodriguez
Oscar Rodriguez
No. of Titles
1
Name
Oscar Rodriguez
Year(s)
1985
Jason Schechter
Jason Schechter
No. of Titles
1
Name
Jason Schechter
Year(s)
1972 (Memorial Day)
Paul Siederman
Paul Siederman
No. of Titles
1
Name
Paul Siederman
Year(s)
1980a
Kevin Sinclair
Kevin Sinclair
No. of Titles
1
Name
Kevin Sinclair
Year(s)
1978a
Paul Sirop
Paul Sirop
No. of Titles
1
Name
Paul Sirop
Year(s)
1974 (Labor Day)a
Sharlene Smith
Sharlene Smith
No. of Titles
1
Name
Sharlene Smith
Year(s)
1975 (Memorial Day)
Matt Stonie
Matt Stonie
No. of Titles
1
Name
Matt Stonie
Year(s)
2015
Hiroaki Tominaga
Hiroaki Tominaga
No. of Titles
1
Name
Hiroaki Tominaga
Year(s)
1986 (February 11)
(unknown)
(unknown)
No. of Titles
1
Name
(unknown)
Year(s)
1973
Don Wolfman
Don Wolfman
No. of Titles
1
Name
Don Wolfman
Year(s)
1987
Ranked list
No. of Titles
Name
Year(s)
17
Joey Chestnut
2007–2014, 2016–2023, 2025
11
Miki Sudo
2014–2020, 2022–2025
6
Takeru Kobayashi
2001–2006
4
Mike DeVito
1990,a 1993 (Independence Day & October 27)–1994
3
Jay Green
1988–1990a
3
Hirofumi Nakajima
1996 (December 4)–1998
3
Sonya Thomas
2011–2013
2
Frankie Dellarosa
1991–1992
2
Ed Krachie
1995–1996
2
Walter Paul
1967 (Centennial celebration of the invention of the hot dog), 1974 (Labor Day)a
1
Steven Abrams
1982
1
Melody Andorfer
1972 (Labor Day)
1
Kazutoyo Arai
2000
1
Joe Baldini
1980a
1
Patrick Bertoletti
2024
1
Lonnie Brown
1975 (Memorial Day)
1
John Connolly
1974 (Opening day of Coney Island's summer season)
1
Thomas DeBerry
1981
1
Birgit Felden
1984
1
Luther Frazier
1979a
1
Emil Gomez
1983
1
Mark Heller
1986
1
Manel Hollenback
1978a
1
Steve Keiner
1999
1
Michelle Lesco
2021
1
Jim Mattner
1979a
1
Roberto Muriel
1974
1
Oscar Rodriguez
1985
1
Jason Schechter
1972 (Memorial Day)
1
Paul Siederman
1980a
1
Kevin Sinclair
1978a
1
Paul Sirop
1974 (Labor Day)a
1
Sharlene Smith
1975 (Memorial Day)
1
Matt Stonie
2015
1
Hiroaki Tominaga
1986 (February 11)
1
(unknown)
1973
1
Don Wolfman
1987
Joint male & female competitions (1967, 1972–1974, 1978–2010)· Results › By contest type
Multi-metric bars
World heat map
Takeru Kobayashi
Takeru Kobayashi
No. of Titles
6
Name
Takeru Kobayashi
Year(s)
2001–2006
Joey Chestnut
Joey Chestnut
No. of Titles
4
Name
Joey Chestnut
Year(s)
2007–2010
Mike DeVito
Mike DeVito
No. of Titles
3
Name
Mike DeVito
Year(s)
1990,a 1993–1994
Jay Green
Jay Green
No. of Titles
3
Name
Jay Green
Year(s)
1988–1990a
Frankie Dellarosa
Frankie Dellarosa
No. of Titles
2
Name
Frankie Dellarosa
Year(s)
1991–1992
Ed Krachie
Ed Krachie
No. of Titles
2
Name
Ed Krachie
Year(s)
1995–1996
Hirofumi Nakajima
Hirofumi Nakajima
No. of Titles
2
Name
Hirofumi Nakajima
Year(s)
1997–1998
Walter Paul
Walter Paul
No. of Titles
2
Name
Walter Paul
Year(s)
1967 (Centennial celebration of the invention of the hot dog), 1974 (Labor Day)a
Steven Abrams
Steven Abrams
No. of Titles
1
Name
Steven Abrams
Year(s)
1982
Melody Andorfer
Melody Andorfer
No. of Titles
1
Name
Melody Andorfer
Year(s)
1972 (Labor Day)
Kazutoyo Arai
Kazutoyo Arai
No. of Titles
1
Name
Kazutoyo Arai
Year(s)
2000
Joe Baldini
Joe Baldini
No. of Titles
1
Name
Joe Baldini
Year(s)
1980a
John Connolly
John Connolly
No. of Titles
1
Name
John Connolly
Year(s)
1974 (Opening day of Coney Island's summer season)
Thomas DeBerry
Thomas DeBerry
No. of Titles
1
Name
Thomas DeBerry
Year(s)
1981
Birgit Felden
Birgit Felden
No. of Titles
1
Name
Birgit Felden
Year(s)
1984
Luther Frazier
Luther Frazier
No. of Titles
1
Name
Luther Frazier
Year(s)
1979a
Emil Gomez
Emil Gomez
No. of Titles
1
Name
Emil Gomez
Year(s)
1983
Mark Heller
Mark Heller
No. of Titles
1
Name
Mark Heller
Year(s)
1986
Manel Hollenback
Manel Hollenback
No. of Titles
1
Name
Manel Hollenback
Year(s)
1978a
Steve Keiner
Steve Keiner
No. of Titles
1
Name
Steve Keiner
Year(s)
1999
Jim Mattner
Jim Mattner
No. of Titles
1
Name
Jim Mattner
Year(s)
1979a
Roberto Muriel
Roberto Muriel
No. of Titles
1
Name
Roberto Muriel
Year(s)
1974
Oscar Rodriguez
Oscar Rodriguez
No. of Titles
1
Name
Oscar Rodriguez
Year(s)
1985
Jason Schechter
Jason Schechter
No. of Titles
1
Name
Jason Schechter
Year(s)
1972 (Memorial Day)
Paul Siederman
Paul Siederman
No. of Titles
1
Name
Paul Siederman
Year(s)
1980a
Kevin Sinclair
Kevin Sinclair
No. of Titles
1
Name
Kevin Sinclair
Year(s)
1978a
Paul Sirop
Paul Sirop
No. of Titles
1
Name
Paul Sirop
Year(s)
1974 (Labor Day)a
(unknown)
(unknown)
No. of Titles
1
Name
(unknown)
Year(s)
1973
Don Wolfman
Don Wolfman
No. of Titles
1
Name
Don Wolfman
Year(s)
1987
Ranked list
No. of Titles
Name
Year(s)
6
Takeru Kobayashi
2001–2006
4
Joey Chestnut
2007–2010
3
Mike DeVito
1990,a 1993–1994
3
Jay Green
1988–1990a
2
Frankie Dellarosa
1991–1992
2
Ed Krachie
1995–1996
2
Hirofumi Nakajima
1997–1998
2
Walter Paul
1967 (Centennial celebration of the invention of the hot dog), 1974 (Labor Day)a
1
Steven Abrams
1982
1
Melody Andorfer
1972 (Labor Day)
1
Kazutoyo Arai
2000
1
Joe Baldini
1980a
1
John Connolly
1974 (Opening day of Coney Island's summer season)
1
Thomas DeBerry
1981
1
Birgit Felden
1984
1
Luther Frazier
1979a
1
Emil Gomez
1983
1
Mark Heller
1986
1
Manel Hollenback
1978a
1
Steve Keiner
1999
1
Jim Mattner
1979a
1
Roberto Muriel
1974
1
Oscar Rodriguez
1985
1
Jason Schechter
1972 (Memorial Day)
1
Paul Siederman
1980a
1
Kevin Sinclair
1978a
1
Paul Sirop
1974 (Labor Day)a
1
(unknown)
1973
1
Don Wolfman
1987
Men's-only competitions (1975, 2011–Present)· Results › By contest type
Multi-metric bars
World heat map
Joey Chestnut
Joey Chestnut
No. of Titles
11
Name
Joey Chestnut
Year(s)
2011–2014, 2016–2023, 2025
Patrick Bertoletti
Patrick Bertoletti
No. of Titles
1
Name
Patrick Bertoletti
Year(s)
2024
Lonnie Brown
Lonnie Brown
No. of Titles
1
Name
Lonnie Brown
Year(s)
1975 (Memorial Day)
Matt Stonie
Matt Stonie
No. of Titles
1
Name
Matt Stonie
Year(s)
2015
Ranked list
No. of Titles
Name
Year(s)
11
Joey Chestnut
2011–2014, 2016–2023, 2025
1
Patrick Bertoletti
2024
1
Lonnie Brown
1975 (Memorial Day)
1
Matt Stonie
2015
Women's-only competitions (1975, 2011–Present)a· Results › By contest type
Multi-metric bars
World heat map
Miki Sudo
Miki Sudo
No. of Titles
8
Name
Miki Sudo
Year(s)
2014–2020, 2022–2025
Sonya Thomas
Sonya Thomas
No. of Titles
3
Name
Sonya Thomas
Year(s)
2011–2013
Michelle Lesco
Michelle Lesco
No. of Titles
1
Name
Michelle Lesco
Year(s)
2021
Sharlene Smith
Sharlene Smith
No. of Titles
1
Name
Sharlene Smith
Year(s)
1975 (Memorial Day)
Ranked list
No. of Titles
Name
Year(s)
8
Miki Sudo
2014–2020, 2022–2025
3
Sonya Thomas
2011–2013
1
Michelle Lesco
2021
1
Sharlene Smith
1975 (Memorial Day)
One-on-One Challenges with Japan (1986, 1993, 1996)· Results › By contest type
Multi-metric bars
World heat map
Mike DeVito
Mike DeVito
No. of Titles
1
Name
Mike DeVito
Year
1993 (October 27)
Hirofumi Nakajima
Hirofumi Nakajima
No. of Titles
1
Name
Hirofumi Nakajima
Year
1996 (December 4)
Hiroaki Tominaga
Hiroaki Tominaga
No. of Titles
1
Name
Hiroaki Tominaga
Year
1986 (February 11)
Ranked list
No. of Titles
Name
Year
1
Mike DeVito
1993 (October 27)
1
Hirofumi Nakajima
1996 (December 4)
1
Hiroaki Tominaga
1986 (February 11)
· Media coverage › Live TV
Multi-metric bars
World heat map
Year
Year
Television history
Year
Television history
Network
Television history
Announcers
Television history
Viewers
2003
2003
Television history
2003
Television history
ESPN
2004
2004
Television history
2004
Television history
ESPN
Television history
Gary Miller, Richard Shea
Television history
926,000
2005
2005
Television history
2005
Television history
ESPN
Television history
Paul Page, Richard Shea
Television history
860,000
2006
2006
Television history
2006
Television history
ESPN
Television history
Paul Page, Richard Shea
Television history
1.46 million
2007
2007
Television history
2007
Television history
ESPN2
Television history
Paul Page, Richard Shea
Television history
1.632 million
2008
2008
Television history
2008
Television history
ESPN
Television history
Paul Page, Richard Shea
Television history
over 1 million
2009
2009
Television history
2009
Television history
ESPN
Television history
Paul Page, Richard Shea
Television history
1.34 million
2010
2010
Television history
2010
Television history
ESPN
Television history
Paul Page, Richard Shea, Todd Harris
Television history
1.677 million
2011
2011
Television history
2011
Television history
ESPN
Television history
Paul Page, Richard Shea, Renee Herlocker
Television history
1.949 million
2012
2012
Television history
2012
Television history
ESPN
Television history
Paul Page, Richard Shea, Renee Herlocker
Television history
1.299 million
2013
2013
Television history
2013
Television history
ESPN2
Television history
Paul Page, Richard Shea, Renee Herlocker
Television history
1.14 million
2014
2014
Television history
2014
Television history
ESPNEWS
Television history
Paul Page, Richard Shea, Cari Champion
Television history
402,000; 2.8 million (tape delay on ESPN)
2015
2015
Television history
2015
Television history
ESPN2
Television history
Paul Page, Richard Shea, Melanie Collins
Television history
1.129 million
2016
2016
Television history
2016
Television history
ESPN.com
Television history
Paul Page, Richard Shea, Melanie Collins
Television history
1.3 million (tape delay on ESPN)
2017
2017
Television history
2017
Television history
ESPN2
Television history
Paul Page, Richard Shea, Melanie Collins
Television history
1.11 million
2018
2018
Television history
2018
Television history
ESPN2
Television history
Adam Amin, Richard Shea, Melanie Collins
Television history
1.141 million
2019
2019
Television history
2019
Television history
ESPN2
Television history
Adam Amin, Richard Shea, Melanie Collins
Television history
1.36 million
2020
2020
Television history
2020
Television history
ESPN
Television history
Mike Golic Jr., Richard Shea, Jason Fitz
Television history
966,000
2021
2021
Television history
2021
Television history
ESPN
Television history
Mike Golic Jr., Richard Shea, Jason Fitz, Miki Sudo
Television history
1.35 million
2022
2022
Television history
2022
Television history
ESPNEWS
Television history
John Anderson, Richard Shea, Jason Fitz
Television history
1.033 million (tape delay on ESPN)
2023
2023
Television history
2023
Television history
ESPN2
Television history
John Anderson, Richard Shea, Renée James
Television history
1.008 million (weather delay to 2 pm ET)
2024
2024
Television history
2024
Television history
ESPN2
Television history
Jeremy Schaap, Richard Shea, Tiffany Greene
Television history
831,000
2025
2025
Television history
2025
Television history
ESPN2
Television history
Jeremy Schaap, Richard Shea, Tiffany Greene
Television history
1.6 million
Ranked list
Television history
Year
Network
Announcers
Viewers
2003
ESPN
2004
ESPN
Gary Miller, Richard Shea
926,000
2005
ESPN
Paul Page, Richard Shea
860,000
2006
ESPN
Paul Page, Richard Shea
million
2007
ESPN2
Paul Page, Richard Shea
million
2008
ESPN
Paul Page, Richard Shea
over 1 million
2009
ESPN
Paul Page, Richard Shea
million
2010
ESPN
Paul Page, Richard Shea, Todd Harris
million
2011
ESPN
Paul Page, Richard Shea, Renee Herlocker
million
2012
ESPN
Paul Page, Richard Shea, Renee Herlocker
million
2013
ESPN2
Paul Page, Richard Shea, Renee Herlocker
million
2014
ESPNEWS
Paul Page, Richard Shea, Cari Champion
million (tape delay on ESPN)
2015
ESPN2
Paul Page, Richard Shea, Melanie Collins
million
2016
ESPN.com
Paul Page, Richard Shea, Melanie Collins
million (tape delay on ESPN)
2017
ESPN2
Paul Page, Richard Shea, Melanie Collins
million
2018
ESPN2
Adam Amin, Richard Shea, Melanie Collins
million
2019
ESPN2
Adam Amin, Richard Shea, Melanie Collins
million
2020
ESPN
Mike Golic Jr., Richard Shea, Jason Fitz
966,000
2021
ESPN
Mike Golic Jr., Richard Shea, Jason Fitz, Miki Sudo
