Joey Chestnut got more than the Mustard Belt for his victory at the 2025 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.
He will pocket $10,000, as will women’s champion Miki Sudo.
For Chestnut, that worked out to be about $142 for each hot dog and bun he consumed, eating total of 70½ during the annual 10-minute contest in Coney Island, New York.
“It’s awesome,’ said Chestnut, who returned to the competition after a one-year ban. “I’m really lucky. You know, competitive eating, it’s not like people are buying tickets to watch it. And it’s not tons and tons of advertising, so there’s not the most money involved it in.’
Chestnut confirmed he makes exponentially from his three-year contract with Nathan’s, although he has declined to reveal the terms of the deal.
The competitors at Nathan’s compete for a total of $40,000 in prize money, $20,000 for the men and $20,000 for the women.
While $10,000 goes to each of the winners, the second-place finishers each get $5,000, the third-place finishers each get $2,500 apiece and the remaining $2,500 is split among other the fourth- and fifth-place finishers, according to George Shea, co-founder of Major League Eating and the host of the Nathan’s contest.
Nathan’s Hot Dog Contest prize money
Winner: $10,000
Second place: $5,000
Third place: $2,500
Fourth place: $1,500
Fifth place: $1,000
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