The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is a uniquely American spectacle—a competitive eating event held every Fourth of July at the original Nathan’s Famous restaurant on Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York. Over the decades, it has grown from a local novelty into a nationally televised cultural event. Its history is a curious blend of patriotism, marketing savvy, and extreme physical endurance.

According to Nathan’s lore, the first contest was held in 1916 when four immigrants competed to prove who was the most patriotic by eating the most hot dogs. While this origin story has since been debunked as a clever piece of marketing invented in the 1970s, it nonetheless set the tone for the contest’s mythology.

The modern era of the contest began in earnest in the early 2000s, when ESPN started broadcasting it live. The rise of competitive eating as entertainment coincided with the reign of Takeru Kobayashi, a Japanese competitor who revolutionized the sport with his technique and stamina. Kobayashi’s arrival in 2001, and his subsequent record-breaking performances, put Nathan’s on the map internationally.

The next chapter in the contest’s evolution was written by Joey Chestnut, a California native who dethroned Kobayashi in 2007 and ushered in a new era of dominance. Chestnut’s feats were nothing short of extraordinary. From 2007 to 2023, he won the contest 16 times, setting multiple world records in the process—including his astonishing 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes in 2021.

Chestnut became synonymous with the event. His relentless training, competitive fire, and ability to perform under pressure earned him the nickname “Jaws” and made him a household name. His duels with other top eaters added drama, but Chestnut often proved untouchable. He became the face of Nathan’s contest and competitive eating itself.

In 2024, however, Joey Chestnut’s long association with the Nathan’s contest came to a sudden and unexpected end. Major League Eating (MLE), the organization that sanctions the event, announced that Chestnut would not be competing due to a sponsorship conflict. Chestnut had signed a promotional deal with Impossible Foods, a company known for its plant-based meat alternatives, including vegan hot dogs.

Nathan’s Famous and MLE viewed this sponsorship as a direct conflict of interest. Nathan’s, which promotes its traditional all-beef hot dogs, reportedly asked Chestnut to drop the Impossible Foods partnership if he wanted to compete. Chestnut declined, stating that he should be able to work with other brands and that he was not under a formal contract that restricted such agreements. This impasse led to his exclusion from the 2024 event.

The public reaction was swift and largely supportive of Chestnut. Many fans and commentators criticized Nathan’s and MLE for what they saw as a shortsighted business decision that prioritized brand protection over honoring the contest’s most iconic figure. Some likened it to banning Michael Jordan from the NBA Finals or Tom Brady from the Super Bowl.

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest has always been about more than just food—it’s about American tradition, spectacle, and the quirky pursuit of glory. Joey Chestnut embodied that spirit for nearly two decades. For many, Chestnut was a part of their Fourth of July celebrations which is something MLE and Nathan’s probably came to realize when they decided to lift his ban.

In mid‑June, Chestnut confirmed on social media (X) and through various outlets like ESPN, ABC News, and CBS Sports that he will compete in the 2025 contest after missing the 2024 event due to the sponsorship dispute. Chestnut explained that he partners with a variety of companies, including some that are plant‑based, but none of them conflict with his love for hot dogs, and that Nathan’s is the only hot dog brand he’s ever endorsed.

MLE’s president voiced enthusiasm, stating they’re “extremely excited to welcome Joey back…for what will surely be the greatest Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest of all time.”

Chestnut will be pursuing a record 17th title. Fox Sports notes he is the heavy favorite to exceed 71.5 hot dogs in the 10‑minute contest, reflecting strong betting odds.