As is tradition, the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest took place on the 4th of July this year in Coney Island, New York. And for the 17th time in his storied career, Joey Chestnut is taking home the title, along with the cash prize provided to the winner.
Joey Chestnut Pockets $10,000 For Contest Victory
How much does Chestnut pocket this year?
In a nice showing of pay equality, the winners of both the men’s and women’s Hot Dog Eating Contests earn the same amount. Both Chestnut and Miki Sudo will be pocketing $10,000, with second place finishers earning $5,000. There was a $2,500 prize for those who came in third place (via Spotrac)
JOEY CHESTNUT'S DOMINANCE CONTINUES 🐐
Chestnut downs 70.5 hot dogs to win his 17th Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest title 🏆 🌭 pic.twitter.com/B3TMBrayZ7
— ESPN (@espn) July 4, 2025
Despite winning, Chestnut says that he came short of his ultimate goal. His own record of 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes was set back in 2021, and he was undoubtedly looking to best that mark. But he was “only” able to scarf down 70.5 dogs, which prompted him to apologize for his performance, as he was shooting for a number between 70 and 77.
| Men | ||
| 1st Place | Joey Chestnut | $10,000 |
| 2nd Place | Patrick Bertoletti | $5,000 |
| 3rd Place | James Webb | $2,500 |
Since winning his first title back in 2007, Joey Chestnut has won nearly every Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest that he has entered. His lone loss came in 2015 when Matt Stonie beat him by two dogs, and he didn’t compete in 2024 due to a sponsorship issue.
| Women | ||
| 1st Place | Miki Sudo | $10,000 |
| 2nd Place | Michelle Lesco | $5,000 |
| 3rd Place | Domenica Dee | $2,500 |
On the women’s side, Sudo has had a dominant run herself over the past decade. She hasn’t lost a single contest that she has entered since winning her first in 2014, with her only title-less year coming in 2021 when she skipped the event due to her pregnancy.
Sudo didn’t come close to her own record of 51 hot dogs in 10 minutes, but was still able to come out with a victory by downing 33 this year. No other women’s competitor finished with a number higher than 23.
