Joey Chestnut wins Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, Miki Sudo is women's champion

Joey Chestnut defended his rubric and relished a triumph arsenic the victor of the 2026 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on Saturday.

Chestnut dominated the competition, eating a whopping 66 blistery dogs and buns successful 10 minutes to triumph the coveted Mustard Belt. 

He captured his 18th triumph this year. Chestnut reclaimed the Mustard Belt successful 2025 aft being absent from the contention successful 2024. He ate 70.5 blistery dogs and buns successful 10 minutes successful 2025.

He holds the all-time grounds of 76 blistery dogs and buns successful 10 minutes, which helium acceptable successful 2021.

"Eating present connected the Fourth of July is simply a dream; it's electric. There's nary spot amended connected Earth," helium said. 

Joey Chestnut and different competitory eaters devour blistery dogs during the contest. Anna Connors

Patrick Bertoletti from Chicago took the No. 2 spot with 51 dogs. 

The American contented was held astatine the Nathan's Famous flagship edifice astatine Surf and Stillwell avenues successful Coney Island, Brooklyn. A immense assemblage showed up contempt the sweltering heat. They were heard chanting Chestnut's sanction erstwhile helium deed 50 dogs. 

The participants brought their appetites to vie for the $10,000 currency prize and belt. 

Miki Sudo wins women's Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest  

Miki Sudo won the pinkish loop for the 12th time. She ate 38 3/4 blistery dogs and buns. Her grounds is 51.

In 2025, she ate 33 blistery dogs and buns to triumph the contest. 

Miki Sudo, right, and different competitory eaters devour blistery dogs during the 2026 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July blistery canine eating contest. Anna Connors

"I'm conscionable gladsome I could observe America 250 successful this way," she said. 

Michelle Lesco, the 2021 winner, came successful 2nd place, eating 22 blistery dogs and buns. 

Thousands ticker successful the utmost heat

Even scorching temperatures couldn't support New Yorkers from celebrating 1 of the country's biggest traditions.

One antheral from California traveled each the mode to the Big Apple for the event. 

"I've been watching this amusement for many, galore years," helium said. "We had to travel retired present and spot Joey Jaws triumph his 18th title."

Who other competed?

Other than the reigning champions, a host of planetary competitors and different Americans participated.

They were certified astatine the weigh-in Friday astatine Hudson Yards successful New York City. 

Men

• Joey Chestnut from Indianapolis, Indiana 
• Patrick Bertoletti from Chicago, Illinois 
• James Webb from Sydney, Australia 
• Nick Wehry from Tampa, Florida
• Max Stanford from London, England
• Gideon Oji from Stockbridge, Georgia
• Derek Hendrickson from Las Vegas, Nevada
• Radim Dvoracek from Ostrava, Czech Republic
• George Chiger from Pocono Pines, Pennsylvania 
  
• Cameron Meade from Valparaiso, Indiana
• Tanner Gray from Fort Mill, South Carolina
• Jerome Burns from Danbury, Connecticut
• Crazy Legs Conti from New York, New York 
• Ynho Choi from Seoul, South Korea

Women

• Miki Sudo from Tampa, Florida
• Domenica Dee from Seattle, Washington
• Tandra Childress from San Francisco, California 
• Katie Prettyman from Marysville, Washington 
• Rene Rovtar from Basking Ridge, New Jersey
• Cherish Brown from Eden, Ohio
• Camille O'Brien from Jeffersonville, New York 
• Semora Kludy from Charlotte, Michigan
• Lainey Eaton from San Diego, California 
• Michelle Lesco from Tucson, Arizona

Jennifer Bisram contributed to this report.

In:

• Brooklyn
• Coney Island