Fans Upset Joey Chestnut Was Banned from Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest 2024

Julia StumbaughJuly 4, 2024

Kena Betancur/Getty Images

For the first time since 2005, Joey Chestnut will not compete at the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest.

The 16-time Mustard Yellow Belt winner, who set a word record by eating 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes in 2021, will be absent from Coney Island this Fourth of July after being banned from the competition.

Fans showed their disappointment on social media leading up to the 2024 event:

Deadspin @DeadspinThe Fourth of July feels so empty without Joey Chestnut. pic.twitter.com/ICEvMwFOA6

Odds Shark @OddsSharkThe 4th of July isn’t the same without Joey Chestnut pic.twitter.com/BV7fJwTpNH

Ron Don Vanleuven @CLeuven503No Joey chestnut this year pic.twitter.com/Nb4mSmov7L

jumanji @tinymanjiCan’t be 4th of July without Joey Chestnut

Michael Koester @mike_koesterWish I could say “happy 4th of July” but there’s a hotdog-sized hole in my heart knowing Joey Chestnut won’t be at the Nathan’s hot dog eating contest today

Alex @RealSFDynastyJoey Chestnut not eating hot dogs today. Tragic day to be an American.

Aaron Bronsteter @aaronbronsteter4th of July doesn’t feel the same without Joey Chestnut housing 70 hot dogs.

Chestnut’s split with the annual competition came after the competitive eater partnered for a brand deal with Impossible Foods, a company that makes “meat from plants.”

Major League Eating, which oversees the annual Nathan’s competition at Coney Island, announced on May 6 that Chestnut had “chosen to represent a rival brand that sells plant-based hot dogs rather than competing.”

“It seems that Joey and his managers have prioritized a new partnership with a different hot dog brand over our long-time relationship,” MLE wrote.

The Nathan’s contest will now feature a field led by Geoffrey Esper, James Webb, Nick Wehry and Patrick Bertoletti. Miki Sudo meanwhile won the women’s field by eating 51 hot dogs.

Stabler Hill @theRealStablerWithout Joey Chestnut, will a new American hero emerge?

Gal Pal Sports @GalPalSportsWith Joey Chestnut out of the competition today, Miki Sudo may have the highest total of the day! 👀 https://t.co/RCSJSMhOOs

This is not the first time MLE has split with a former champion. The event banned Chestnut’s rival, Takeru Kobayashi, in 2010 due to a different contract dispute.

The Professional Hater @jbdude12No Chestnut no Kobayashi. This feels wrong.

BoilerUniforms 🚂 @BoilerUniformsNo Kobayashi No Chestnut

What happened to the game I love?

Fans who missed seeing Chestnut compete in Brooklyn will have other opportunities to watch both former champions. The two former Nathan’s champions will compete in a September 2 hot dog eating contest (h/t ESPN) that will be streamed on Netflix.

Kam @WithekayWould not be surprised if Miki Sudo just ate enough hot dogs to top the men’s competition as well. No Chestnut this year, gonna be interesting! That being said though, the Kobayashi/Chestnut showdown on Labor Day will be phenomenal

In the meantime, Chestnut is celebrating July 4th with a five-minute eating contest against soldiers at El Paso’s Fort Bliss army base.