Joey Chestnut wins his 18th Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest
Chestnut outpaced Patrick Bertoletti by 15 hot dogs as the contest battled heat and humidity that slowed bun texture, ESPN reported.
- On Saturday, July 4, 2026, competitive eater Joey Chestnut won his 18th Mustard Belt at the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, New York, by consuming 66 hot dogs in 10 minutes.
- Chestnut returned after missing 2024 due to a sponsorship conflict with Impossible Foods. Although a misdemeanor battery charge in Indiana raised brief eligibility concerns earlier this year, Major League Eating officials confirmed the case did not disqualify him.
- Blistering conditions with temperatures near 92 degrees and a heat index of approximately 108 slowed Chestnut's pace, causing him to fall short of his 2021 world record of 76 franks before 25,000 spectators.
- Miki Sudo also defended her title, securing her 12th Mustard Belt championship by eating 38.75 hot dogs. The contest saw ownership transition to Smithfield Foods in January.
- Celebrating the United States' 250th birthday, the Nathan's Famous competition remains a staple Independence Day ritual. Chestnut's victory further cements his legacy as the most dominant competitor in the event's history.
85 Articles
85 Articles
66 Hot Dogs in 10 Minutes: A US Independence Day Face That Puts Sports Stars to shame. 43-year-old Joey Chestnut Wins 18th Career Title; Record Lower Than Usually Due to Bread Softened by Heatwave. On the 4th, the 250th US Independence Day, at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York, the Nathans Famous...
Traditionally, on July 4th, the National Day of the United States, a hot dog bet is held in New York. It is a competition that could not be American.
Massachusetts Competitive Eater Dedicates July 4 Hot Dog Contest To Boston Radio Legend Eddie Andelman
Crazy Legs Conti, a Belmont, Massachusetts native, lost the annual July 4 Coney Island hot-dog eating contest Saturday to veteran scarfer Joey Chestnut. But Conti didn’t mind – he ate hot dogs for America’s 250th birthday by dedicating his effort in memory of Eddie Andelman, the longtime Boston radio celebrity who died just three weeks [...] The post Massachusetts Competitive Eater Dedicates July 4 Hot Dog Contest To Boston Radio Legend Eddie An…
There was a winner at the annual July 4th hot dog eating contest in Coney Island! Joey Chestnut successfully defended his title, but he ate fewer hot dogs than he did last year in the contest hosted by Nathan's Famous, a fast-food restaurant chain. However, he managed to eat a whopping 66 hot dogs - far more than second-place finisher Patrick Bertoletti (51 hot dogs). Chestnut said the heat prevented him from matching last year's 70.5 hot dogs a…
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
West Hawaii TodayNathan’s Hot Dog Contest captivates Coney Island despite heat wave
NEW YORK — In a uniquely American spectacle becoming of the nation’s 250th birthday, the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest took place in Coney Island on Saturday, with scorching temperatures slowing paces well below the record thresholds. The post Nathan’s Hot Dog Contest captivates Coney Island despite heat wave appeared first on Hawaii Tribune-Herald.
Joey Chestnut has won his 18th title in the annual hot dog eating contest, eating 66 hot dogs in 10 minutes. He blames the drop in numbers from last year on the extreme heat and humidity.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 39% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
