Joey Chestnut, the legendary competitive eater known for his record-breaking performances at Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, is gearing up for another epic showdown on July 4, 2025. After sitting out the 2024 contest due to a sponsorship dispute, Chestnut is back and ready to take the Coney Island stage by storm once again, aiming to push the boundaries of his own world record.
Chestnut, 41, has dominated the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest over the past two decades, clinching victory 16 times. His record of devouring 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes stands as a monumental achievement in the world of competitive eating. This year, he’s publicly expressed his ambition to edge even closer to the elusive 80-hot dog mark, telling USA TODAY Sports, "It'd be great to make a new record. If I can get close to 80, that'd be amazing." The contest, held annually at Nathan's Famous original location on Surf and Stillwell avenues in Brooklyn, New York, remains a cherished Fourth of July tradition, blending American culture with intense competition.
Chestnut’s absence from the 2024 contest was a notable event in itself. The reigning champion was banned after signing an endorsement deal with Impossible Foods, a company producing plant-based hot dogs, which Nathan's perceived as direct competition to its all-beef product. However, the hiatus was short-lived, as Chestnut later inked a three-year agreement with Nathan's and the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE) to exclusively endorse Nathan's hot dogs. His return was met with enthusiasm, with Chestnut posting on X (formerly Twitter), "This event means the world to me. It’s a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life. I’m excited to be back on the Coney Island stage, doing what I live to do, and celebrating the Fourth of July with hot dogs in my hands!"
Chestnut’s preparation for the contest is as meticulous as ever. He describes Nathan’s hot dogs as a unique culinary delight with a century-old recipe, praising their all-beef, natural taste. His game day mentality is straightforward yet intense: stay hungry. "I’m expecting to eat uncomfortable and bloated and I’m ignoring whatever feelings it takes to get there," he explains. The first bite is the toughest hurdle, requiring calm and control to avoid premature choking or discomfort. "My first instinct is to try to swallow whole, which is not a good thing," he admits. "Stay calm, take a normal bite and work into the rhythm." This disciplined approach has been a cornerstone of his success.
Despite his formidable track record, Chestnut acknowledges that his biggest opponent is often himself. "My biggest threat is myself if I get in my own head, if I let something bother me, that’s when I can make mistakes," he says. Among his competitors, he singles out James Webb from Montreal as a rising challenger. "He’s young, he’s fit. This guy likes to work out so he’s gonna be pushing himself really hard." Yet Chestnut remains confident, noting that bettors have set the "Over" — the predicted number of hot dogs to be eaten — at 72 or 74, figures he considers ambitious. "Even though the record’s 76, it’s gonna be hard for me to push myself," he admits. "I know like minute six if I have a chance at the record. I have a tendency to get lazy if I don’t think I can get the record. I would love to get the Over. I’m gonna really try hard."
Chestnut’s career is marked by resilience and memorable victories. His first win, where he dethroned the legendary Takeru Kobayashi, remains his sweetest. He also recalls the 2022 contest as a personal triumph against overwhelming odds. That year, he competed despite a broken leg that left one leg half an inch shorter, the recent passing of his mother, the loss of his dog, and even a protestor disrupting the event. "It was like the worst year, but I was still able to get it done," he reflects. Such grit has endeared him to fans, especially the vibrant New York crowd at Coney Island. "The audience at Coney Island, you feel like you’re at the center of the world. There’s energy, electricity like no other place," Chestnut enthuses.
His preparation rituals are both physical and mental. The night before the contest, Chestnut stays calm, watches old practice videos, and performs burping exercises by swallowing air to stretch his stomach muscles. He also drinks aloe vera juice and other liquids to stay hydrated and maintain an empty stomach. Surprisingly, he sometimes drinks half a gallon of milk in the morning for a "healthy stretch." On contest day, he typically enters "really, really empty," having eaten a hot dog at the weigh-in — a tradition where competitors size each other up and engage in friendly trash talk. "I like the weigh-in because it’s my last chance to really get in the other eater’s heads a little bit," he says.
Chestnut’s strengths go beyond sheer appetite. He credits his natural love for eating, competitive spirit, and problem-solving skills, which are crucial given that competitive eaters often train themselves without coaches. However, he admits to a weakness: a dislike for working out. "My cardiovascular endurance is slowing down as I get older," he confesses. "If I’m running more, cycling more, lifting weights more, I can push my body harder. I’m so jealous of people that love to get up early and work every day." Despite this, he remains determined to maintain peak performance.
Weather is another factor Chestnut watches closely. He dislikes hot days, recalling that his record-setting performance happened on a perfect 75-degree day. "When it’s warmer, my body just runs out of steam towards the end," he explains. "I’m really hoping a cold front comes in. And you know whatever happens, I’m gonna eat like a beast." Chestnut plans to arrive in New York on July 1 with his fiancée Brie, two sisters, and a close friend. Brie, who cooks for him and supports his unique diet, plays an important role in his life. The couple met serendipitously in San Francisco and later matched on Tinder. Although both in their 40s, they have no children but share a love for their dogs and gardening, with plans for a courthouse wedding and celebration.
Reflecting on the 2024 contest, which he watched despite being banned, Chestnut views the experience as valuable practice for eventual retirement. "One of these days I’m gonna be either older or somebody’s gonna be beating me," he says. "It made me appreciate that if I can do it, I want to be there." As he ages, his training has adapted; he now practices every five or six days or even weekly, allowing more recovery time compared to his younger years.
Off the contest stage, Chestnut remains a fan of hot dogs, enjoying them at baseball games and at home with mustard and raw onions. His father’s fond nickname for hot dogs, "tube steaks," is a nostalgic touchstone. Beyond hot dogs, Chestnut enjoys rib contests and wing festivals, especially in Buffalo, a city he praises for its vibrant food scene and nightlife.
His boyhood idols were baseball stars Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire, the Bash Brothers. Though he played Little League and marched in his high school band as a trumpet player, his early dream was uniquely charming: "I wanted to be the dog on the back of the fire engine." Today, Chestnut is driven by perspective, appreciating the opportunities his career affords him. "I used to have a normal job in construction management, and now I get to travel, eat, make other people happy, meet people. It’s a really good gig," he says. His goal is simple: stay healthy and treat people well.
As the countdown to July 4 ticks closer, Joey Chestnut remains a formidable force in competitive eating. While he can’t guarantee a victory this year, he promises that anyone who hopes to beat him will have to earn it. "If my body works for me even 80 percent, I’m gonna blow everybody away," he declares. The stage is set for another thrilling chapter in the saga of Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, with Chestnut ready to once again chase glory and perhaps, a new world record.
