Joey Chestnut Returning To Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest After Ban
on Jun 16, 2025
Competitive Eater Joey Chestnut Was Banned From Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest In 2024
Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest takes place every Fourth of July. The most famous competitive eater to win the contest is Joey Chestnut. With a total of 16 wins, Chestnut is considered the most dominant athlete in the sport, even setting a world record in 2021 by eating 76 hot dogs.
While many people tune into ESPN to watch him dominate the competition, he was notably absent last year after being banned from the competition.
The New York Post reported in 2024 that a representative of Major League Eating (MLE) found out that Chestnut had partnered with a rival hot dog company, Impossible Foods, who makes plant-based hot dogs. The MLE is the governing body of the hot dog eating contest and when they were forced to ban Chestnut, they released the following statement:
“MLE and Nathan’s went to great lengths to accommodate Joey and his management team, agreeing to the appearance fee and allowing Joey to compete in a rival, unbranded hot dog eating contest on Labor Day. For nearly two decades we have worked under the same basic hot dog exclusivity provisions. However, it seems that Joey and his managers have prioritized a new partnership with a different brand over our long-time relationship.”
Following the banishment, Chestnut said, “I was gutted to learn from the media that after 19 years [I’m] banned from the Nathan’s July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest. I love competing in that event, I love celebrating America with my fans all over this great country on the 4th and I have been training to defend my title.“
The 2024 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest crowned Patrick Bertoletti as the champions after he ate 58 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.
Instead of competing in the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest last year, Chestnut and former rival Takeru Kobayashi had their own eating competition on Netflix, which aired on September 2, 2024.
Chestnut Is Returning To Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest
Chestnut announced on social media that he is returning to Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island this Fourth Of July.
“I’m thrilled to be returning to the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. This event means the world to me. It’s a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life,” he wrote.
He also attempted to clear the air about being banned last year, saying that Nathan’s is the only hot dog company he has ever worked with.
He wrote, “While I have and continue to partner with a variety of companies, including some in the plant-based space, those relationships were never a conflict with my love for hot dogs. To be clear: Nathan’s is the only hot dog company I’ve ever worked with.”
Chestnut continued, “I respect that there were differences in interpretation, but I’m grateful we’ve been able to find common ground. I’m excited to be back on the Coney Island stage, doing what I live to do, and celebrating the Fourth of July with hot dogs in my hands! Stay hungry!”
Tune into ESPN on July 4, 2025 to watch Chestnut compete!
