You can absolutely bet on the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, though its availability depends on your location. Many sportsbooks, particularly those involved in entertainment betting, offer markets for this unique July 4th tradition.
In 2024, with Joey Chestnut out of the competition due to a sponsorship dispute, the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest was wide open, and Patrick Bertoletti ultimately took the men’s title by consuming 58 hot dogs and buns.
For 2025, the Nathan’s Hot Dog odds are already heavily skewed in favor of the returning legend, Joey Chestnut (-3000), indicating a very high implied probability of him reclaiming the Mustard Belt.
Other notable contestants include 2024 champion Patrick Bertoletti (+700), Geoffrey Esper (+1600), and Nick Wehry (+4000), all listed as significant underdogs.
When placing bets, look beyond just the outright winner. BetUS often provides prop bets, such as over/under for the total number of hot dogs consumed by the winner (Joey Chestnut’s all-time record is 76 hot dogs, set in 2021 at Nathan’s, though he recently unofficially ate 83 in a Netflix special against Takeru Kobayashi).
You might also find head-to-head matchups between specific eaters or even odds on whether a new world record will be set. These diverse betting options make entertainment betting on the Hot Dog Eating Contest an exciting annual event for many.
Who Is the Most Famous Hot Dog-Eating Champion?
Without a doubt, the most famous hot dog-eating champion in the world is Joey Chestnut. His dominance at the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island is virtually unparalleled in the world of competitive eating (and sports). He has won the men’s Mustard Belt a staggering 16 times (from 2007-2014 and 2016-2023), setting the record of 76 hot dogs and buns consumed in 10 minutes in 2021.
Chestnut’s consistent victories and record-breaking performances have made him a household name, propelling competitive eating into mainstream entertainment news every Fourth of July.
The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest reflects his celebrity, as he consistently opens as an overwhelming favorite, often with entertainment odds so steep that betting on anyone else feels like a significant long shot.
Before Chestnut’s reign, the undisputed king of Coney Island was Takeru Kobayashi.
The Japanese sensation revolutionized the sport in the early 2000s, winning six consecutive Nathan’s titles from 2001 to 2006.
Kobayashi’s innovative techniques and explosive eating style captivated audiences and dramatically raised the bar for hot dog consumption, effectively popularizing the contest on a global scale.
While a contract dispute with Major League Eating has prevented him from competing at Nathan’s since 2009, his rivalry with Chestnut, highlighted by their recent Netflix special (Chestnut ate 83 hot dogs to Kobayashi’s 66), remains a significant part of the sport’s lore.
In the women’s division, Miki Sudo holds the title of the most famous and dominant champion.
She has won the women’s Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest 10 times, including setting a new women’s record of 51 hot dogs and buns in 2024.
Sudo’s consistent wins and her push to constantly break her records have solidified her status as the queen of the women’s competition, earning her significant recognition in entertainment news and cementing her legacy alongside the male legends of the sport.
Is Joey Chestnut Coming Back to the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest?
The biggest news surrounding the 2025 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is the triumphant return of Joey Chestnut. After a one-year absence in 2024 due to a sponsorship conflict with Impossible Foods, the 16-time champion has announced he will be back on the Coney Island stage on July 4th to reclaim his title.
This development has dramatically impacted the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest odds, with Chestnut immediately installed as an overwhelming favorite, often listed at odds like -2500, reflecting the strong belief that he will resume his reign.
Last year, without Chestnut in the lineup, the hot dog eating contest odds were the most open they’d been in years. Bertoletti seized the opportunity, winning the men’s competition by consuming 58 hot dogs and buns. While Bertoletti’s victory was a significant moment for him, it also highlighted how much Chestnut’s presence impacts viewership and the overall excitement of the event.
Beyond Chestnut’s return, fans are also looking forward to seeing if women’s champion Miki Sudo can continue her dominance, having set a new women’s record of 51 hot dogs and buns in 2024.
The prospect of Chestnut aiming for a new world record at Nathan’s (his personal best at the event is 76 hot dogs) adds another layer of anticipation to the 2025 contest.
