JOEY CHESTNUT is BACK from his ban to try and retake his crown as the world’s best competitive eater.
Jaws has won the coveted Mustard Yellow Belt a record 16 times but was not allowed to compete in 2024.
Chestnut was barred from entering the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest over an issue with a rival sponsor, Impossible Foods.
The brand is not only a rival but is also a vegan company.
Chestnut instead starred in the Netflix special ‘Unfinished Beef’ against long-time rival Takeru Kobayashi – ending their 15-year rivalry with a dominant win.
In his absence, Patrick Bertoletti picked up the Nathan’s crown, scoffing 58 hot dogs last year.
But the reigning champ will have his work cut out to stop Chestnut from regaining his crown after he confirmed he would be back.
There is also the women’s contest to look forward to with Miki Sudo hoping to defend her crown.
The 10-time winner managed 51 hot dogs in 2024.
When is the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest 2025?
As always, the contest will be held on July 4 – Independence Day – which is a Friday this year.
The event will take place outside the original Nathan’s location in Coney Island, New York.
The schedule is as follows:
- 10.45am ET / 15.45pm BST: Women’s Contest
- 11am ET / 4pm BST: Miki Sudo Cam
- 12pm ET / 5pm BST: Men’s Contest
- 12.30pm ET / 5.30pm BST: Joey Chestnut Cam
Is the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest 2025 on TV and is there a live stream?
- ESPN has held the rights to the contest for almost 25 years and will be the broadcaster again this year.
- However, because of Wimbledon, the men’s contest will be aired on ESPN2.
- The women’s contest – as well as the cams on Chestnut and Sudo – will be on ESPN3.
- ESPN3 is NOT a traditional cable channel but a live stream that can be accessed via ESPN.com or the ESPN app.
- ESPN2 can also be accessed without a cable package via other paying platforms such as Fubo, YouTube TV or Hulu+.
- Alternatively, SunSport will live blog all the action from the men’s and women’s contests as they happen.
