Joey Chestnut Eats 66 Hot Dogs to Win 18th Mustard Belt

Joey Chestnut ate 66 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes to win the 2026 Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest on July 4 at the original Nathan's restaurant on Coney Island in Brooklyn. He claimed the Mustard Belt for the 18th time and defeated 13 competitors from the United States, Czech Republic, Australia and South Korea. Patrick Bertoletti placed second with 50 hot dogs.

Miki Sudo ate 38.75 hot dogs and buns to win the women's division for the 12th time. She holds the women's record of 51 hot dogs set in 2021. After her win, Sudo watched her husband compete in the men's event.

Chestnut did not approach his record of 76 hot dogs. He said a heat wave may have played a role and that he had room for improvement. "I knew I was going to be able to get the win," Chestnut said. " The contest dates to 1972.

Nathan's Famous was sold in January 2026 to Smithfield Foods. Chestnut pleaded guilty in April 2026 to a misdemeanor battery charge from an Indiana bar incident and remains on probation while permitted to travel outside the state. Major League Eating determined the case did not affect his eligibility.

Sudo said she relied on muscle memory and the crowd. "I just said I would have to rely on muscle memory, and the crowd really carried me through to another belt today," she said.