NEW YORK — Nathan's Famous held its annual Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest at its original Coney Island stand on Saturday, with Joey Chestnut returning to defend his men's title before thousands of spectators. The event coincided with the United States' 250th anniversary.

The competition, held each Independence Day at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues, is organised by Major League Eating and broadcast live on ESPN. Chestnut, a 17-time champion, competed after his 2024 absence over a sponsorship dispute, which was resolved before his 2025 return to the boardwalk stage.

In the women's division, Miki Sudo entered as the reigning champion, having set records in previous editions of the contest. Competitors were given 10 minutes to consume as many hot dogs and buns as possible, with judges tallying totals at the sound of the final horn.

The contest drew larger-than-usual crowds this year, with the Semiquincentennial adding to the patriotic atmosphere across New York City. Nathan's Famous, which traces the tradition to its Coney Island origins, promoted the event as a centrepiece of the borough's Independence Day festivities.

George Shea, the longtime master of ceremonies for Major League Eating, introduced the field in his customary theatrical style before the noon start. The winners each received the coveted championship belt alongside a cash prize.