It’s summer, and July 4th is approaching. That means that it is almost time to plan those beach trips, buy your fireworks, and also prepare to watch people shove hot dogs down their gullets.
The annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest will be back in action again this year, and the all-time record holder Joey Chestnut is expected to be back in the competition field after a year away from the contest. While fans enjoy watching the contest to see people test the limits of how many hot dogs humans can consume, there is plenty on the line for the competitors: Eternal glory on the internet, and more importantly, a decent payday.
Here is more on the prize money up for grabs at the 2025 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.
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Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest prize money
The prize money totals for the 2025 contest are reportedly the same as last year, which are as follows.
- First place: $10,000
- Second place: $5,000
- Third place: $2,500
- Fourth place: $1,500
- Fifth place: $1,000
The men’s champion also receives the yellow mustard belt, while the women’s champion receives the pink mustard belt.
Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest past winners
Here’s a look back at all of the winners of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. The reigning men’s champ is Patrick Bertoletti. It is worth noting that Joey Chestnut didn’t compete due to a sponsorship conflict. The reigning women’s champion is Miki Sudo, who ate a record 51 hot dogs, the most ever by a female competitor.
| Year | Winner | Hot dogs eaten | Time |
| 2024 men’s | Patrick Bertoletti | 50 | 10 mins. |
| 2024 women’s | Miki Sudo | 51 | 10 mins. |
| 2023 men’s | Joey Chestnut | 62 | 10 mins. |
| 2023 women’s | Miki Sudo | 39.5 | |
| 2022 men’s | Joey Chestnut | 63 | 10 mins. |
| 2022 women’s | Miki Sudo | 40 | |
| 2021 men’s | Joey Chestnut | 76 | 10 mins. |
| 2021 women’s | Michelle Lesco | 30.75 | |
| 2020 men’s | Joey Chestnut | 75 | 10 mins. |
| 2020 women’s | Miki Sudo | 48.5 | |
| 2019 men’s | Joey Chestnut | 71 | 10 mins. |
| 2019 women’s | Miki Sudo | 31 | |
| 2018 men’s | Joey Chestnut | 74 | 10 mins. |
| 2018 women’s | Miki Sudo | 37 | |
| 2017 men’s | Joey Chestnut | 72 | 10 mins. |
| 2017 women’s | Miki Sudo | 41 | |
| 2016 men’s | Joey Chestnut | 70 | 10 mins. |
| 2016 women’s | Miki Sudo | 38.5 | |
| 2015 men’s | Matt Stonie | 62 | 10 mins. |
| 2015 women’s | Miki Sudo | 38 | |
| 2014 men’s | Joey Chestnut | 61 | 10 mins. |
| 2014 women’s | Miki Sudo | 34 | |
| 2013 men’s | Joey Chestnut | 69 | 10 mins. |
| 2013 women’s | Sonya Thomas | 36.75 | |
| 2012 men’s | Joey Chestnut | 68 | 10 mins. |
| 2012 women’s | Sonya Thomas | 45 | |
| 2011 men’s | Joey Chestnut | 62 | 10 mins. |
| 2011 women’s | Sonya Thomas | 40 | |
| 2010 | Joey Chestnut | 54 | 10 mins. |
| 2009 | Joey Chestnut | 68 | 10 mins. |
| 2008 | Joey Chestnut | 59 | 10 mins. |
| 2007 | Joey Chestnut | 66 | 12 mins. |
| 2006 | Takeru Kobayashi | 53.75 | 12 mins. |
| 2005 | Takeru Kobayashi | 49 | 12 mins. |
| 2004 | Takeru Kobayashi | 53.5 | 12 mins. |
| 2003 | Takeru Kobayashi | 44.5 | 12 mins. |
| 2002 | Takeru Kobayashi | 50.5 | 12 mins. |
| 2001 | Takeru Kobayashi | 50 | 12 mins |
| 2000 | Kazutoyo Arai | 25 | 12 mins. |
| 1999 | Steve Keiner | 21.5 | 12 mins. |
| 1998 | Hirofumi Nakajima | 19 | 12 mins. |
| 1997 | Hirofumi Nakajima | 24.5 | 12 mins. |
Bold indicates current record.
