<Tr> <Th> Inaugurated </Th> <Td> July 4, 1916 (1916 - 07 - 04) </Td> </Tr> <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 champion is Joey Chestnut, who ate 72 hot dogs in the 2017 contest . He beat out Carmen Cincotti and the 2015 champ, Matt Stonie . </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>

Who won last year's hot dog eating contest