Hot Dog Eating Contest rules, explained: Time limits, vomiting & more to know about Nathan's competition

The Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest was forced to take a break from its usual home in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has otherwise been going strong at the same New York venue for decades. 

The change in settings never affected Joey Chestnut. Chestnut won 16 of the 17 contests between 2007 and 2023, setting new records in both 2020 and 2021. His 16 titles are more than double the total of anyone else in the men's competition. 

After a sponsorship dispute forced him to sit out in 2024, Chestnut announced his return to the stage in 2025 to make another run at a belt and a record.

Here are the rules you need to know for the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on the Fourth of July.

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Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest rules

The rules for the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest aren't overly complicated, but they do 

• Each competitor has 10 minutes to eat as many hot dogs as possible.
• Competitors receive one plate of five hot dogs and buns at a time.
• Though there was some confusion, Major League Eating told People in 2022 that ketchup and mustard are not permitted.
• Any non-alcoholic beverages are allowed, but only water is provided. If competitors bring their own beverages, they are limited to 13 cups.
• Competitors can separate the hot dogs from the buns but must eat an equal amount. For example, 49 hot dogs and 48 buns eaten equals a score of 48.
• Competitors are allowed to dunk the hot dog and bun in a cup for as many as five seconds.
• No utensils are allowed. Eaters are allowed to break up the hot dogs but must do so with their hands.
• Any eater who vomits during the competition is disqualified.
• The competitor with the most hot dogs and buns eaten within 10 minutes wins.

MORE: What happens inside an eater's body after the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest?

Hot Dog Eating Contest time limits

The Nathan's Hot Dog Eating contest lasts 10 minutes.

Beyond the parameters of the contest, competitors are only allowed to dunk their hot dogs and buns in water for five seconds. While it might sound pretty gross, the softer bun allows eaters to get the hot dog down faster. 

Can Hot Dog Eating contestants use condiments?

According to Major League Eating director of operations Sam Barclay, who spoke with People in 2022, Nathan's does not allow condiments in the contest. While Major League Eating does allow condiments in some events, you won't see contestants lathering their hot dogs with mustard.

Whether condiments were allowed or not, it seems pretty unlikely that any competitor would use them. Eaters can't prepare their hot dogs ahead of time, as they're served in plates of five, so it would waste far too much time if a competitor started squirting ketchup or mustard while everyone else is eating.

Water, or any other beverage brought by the eaters, softens the hot dogs and buns instead.

MORE: Joey Chestnut net worth, career earnings

Why do they drink water during the Hot Dog Eating Contest?

Simply put, it's not easy to swallow dozens of hot dogs and buns without something to make it all a bit less dry.

Eating any kind of bread in large quantities without a beverage is difficult, and competitive eaters are able to get the bun down much quicker when it's not as dry. The water acts as a lubricant on the esophagus during the whole process.

So, no, most competitive eaters likely don't believe hot dogs and buns taste better when soaked in water, but they're in this competition to win. If water-soaked buns get the entire hot dog down quicker, they will use any advantage they can get.