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Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest returns on July 4

foodJul 4, 202617464

The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest returns to Coney Island on July 4 with Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo back to defend their titles. Chestnut, who reclaimed the men’s crown in 2025 after skipping 2024, will defend the title he won last year by eating 70.5 hot dogs despite a legal issue that could have kept him out. Miki Sudo, the women’s contest record holder, is seeking her fifth straight and 12th overall Nathan’s title. The women’s competition starts July 4 at 10:45 a.m. ET on the ESPN Unlimited app, and the men’s event begins at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Top competitors from around the world will vie for a roughly $40,000 prize pool split between men’s and women’s events; winners receive $10,000, second place $5,000, and third place $2,500. The article lists cord-cutter viewing options including a five-day free DIRECTV trial and a Sling Orange Day Pass priced at $4.99 for 24-hour access to ESPN2.

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