We've all been there before. The Fourth of July picnic is almost over and you're faced with the question of whether you should have that fourth or fifth hot dog. For competitors in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, that would be a mere snack.
The annual competition is returning to its Coney Island location in New York for yet another year, where competitors stuff their faces with dozens of hot dogs and buns in a 10-minute span.
Joey "Jaws" Chestnut saw his run of 16 championships in 17 years paused in 2024 as he sat out of the contest due to a sponsorship dispute, but he announced his return in 2025 to make a run at more belts and more records.
Chestnut's most dominant performance came in 2021 when he ate 76 hot dogs — a full 33 more than the next best competitor.
Miki Sudo has won the women's division in nine of the last 10 years, with the only exception being the 2021 competition she didn't compete in after breaking the women's division record in 2020. She returned to the stage in 2022.
MORE: What happens to Joey Chestnut's body after the Hot Dog Eating Contest?
Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest records
Here's a look at the hog dog eating records in both the men's and women's divisions.
Men's Division
| Year | Contestant | Hot dogs eaten |
| 2021 | Joey Chestnut | 76 |
| 2020 | Joey Chestnut | 75 |
| 2018 | Joey Chestnut | 74 |
| 2016 | Joey Chestnut | 73.5* |
| 2017 | Joey Chestnut | 72 |
| 2019 | Joey Chestnut | 71 |
| 2025 | Joey Chestnut | 70.5 |
| 2016 | Joey Chestnut | 70 |
| 2013 | Joey Chestnut | 69 |
| 2012 | Joey Chestnut | 68 |
| 2009 | Joey Chestnut | 68 |
| 2008 | Takeru Kobayashi | 64.5 |
| 2018 | Carmen Cincotti | 64 |
| 2022 | Joey Chestnut | 63 |
| 2015 | Matt Stonie | 62 |
| 2023 | Joey Chestnut | 62 |
*Chestnut's 2016 record was set at the Giant National Capital BBQ Battle just nine days before the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest
Women's Division
| Year | Contestant | Hot dogs eaten |
| 2024 | Miki Sudo | 51 |
| 2020 | Miki Sudo | 48.5 |
| 2012 | Sonya Thomas | 45 |
| 2017 | Miki Sudo | 41 |
| 2009 | Sonya Thomas | 41 |
| 2022 | Miki Sudo | 40 |
| 2011 | Sonya Thomas | 40 |
| 2007 | Sonya Thomas | 39 |
| 2023 | Miki Sudo | 39.5 |
| 2016 | Miki Sudo | 38 |
| 2015 | Miki Sudo | 38 |
| 2018 | Miki Sudo | 37 |
| 2024 | Mayoi Ebihara | 37 |
| 2012 | Sonya Thomas | 36.75 |
| 2012 | Juliet Lee | 36 |
| 2010 | Sonya Thomas | 36 |
MORE: Full list of Joey Chestnut's 55 competitive eating world records
What is the prize for winning Nathan's hot dog contest?
First place in both the men's and women's division receive a $10,000 prize. A remaining $20,000 purse is divided among the runners-up in both divisions.
While the money is great, the real prestige comes in the awarding of the championship belts. The winner of the men's division receives a legendary mustard-colored, WWE-style belt, while the women's champion receives a Pepto-Bismol-colored and sponsored pink belt.