<P> The Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is an annual American hot dog competitive eating competition . It is held each year on Independence Day at Nathan's Famous Corporation's original, and best - known restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island, a neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City . </P> <P> The contest has gained public attention in recent years due to the stardom of Takeru Kobayashi and Joey Chestnut . The defending men's champion is Joey Chestnut, who ate 74 hot dogs in the 2018 contest . The defending women's champion is Miki Sudo, who ate 37 hot dogs in the 2018 contest . </P> <P> Major League Eating (MLE), formerly known as the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE), has sanctioned the event since 1997 . Today, only entrants currently under contract by MLE can compete in the contest . </P> <P> The field of about 20 contestants typically includes the following: </P>

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