Chestnut and Sudo Return for 2026 Nathans Hot Dog Contest

The 2026 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest will take place Saturday, July 4, at the original restaurant on Coney Island in New York, marking the United States' 250th birthday. Defending champions Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo are set to return, seeking to extend their dominant reigns in the annual 10-minute competition.

Chestnut, a 17-time champion and current men's record holder with 76 hot dogs, will aim for his 18th title. He won last year's contest by consuming 70.5 hot dogs, reclaiming the "Mustard Belt" after missing the 2024 event due to a sponsorship conflict. Sudo, an 11-time winner and women's record holder with 51 hot dogs, is pursuing her fifth consecutive and 12th overall championship after eating 33 hot dogs in 2025.

The event follows an eventful year for the contest and its stars. In January, Nathan's Famous was sold to packaged meat giant Smithfield Foods. Separately, Chestnut pleaded guilty in April to a misdemeanor battery charge stemming from an incident at an Indiana bar. His lawyer stated the incident was a misunderstanding and that Chestnut accepted responsibility. Organizer Major League Eating confirmed the legal case did...