Overview
- Joey Chestnut won the men's contest on Saturday by eating 66 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes to claim his 18th Mustard Belt.
- Miki Sudo captured the women's title the same day with 38.75 hot dogs, earning her 12th pink belt while falling short of her 51‑dog record.
- Major League Eating confirmed Chestnut’s eligibility despite his earlier misdemeanor battery plea and probation, which did not prevent him from traveling to compete.
- Reporters and competitors said extreme heat and humidity on the Fourth of July near 100°F affected bun texture and slowed eaters' paces, a factor Chestnut noted after the contest.
- The event drew thousands to Coney Island, aired across multiple ESPN platforms with an ABC simulcast, and took place under new corporate ownership after Nathan’s sale to Smithfield Foods in January 2026.