This Fourth of July will have a different flavor.
Major League Eating, the organization responsible for the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, revealed on Tuesday that Joey Chestnut will not be allowed to participate this summer. The decision comes after Chestnut signed a four-year, $1.2 million contract with the vegan company, Impossible Foods.
Shortly after the announcement, Chestnut expressed his disappointment on social media.
“I was devastated to find out through the media that I’m banned from competing in Nathan’s July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest after 19 years,” Chestnut posted. “I cherish competing in this event and celebrating America with fans nationwide on the Fourth. I have been gearing up to defend my title.”
He clarified his contractual situation: “To set the record straight, I am not under contract with MLE or Nathan’s, and they are changing the rules about partnerships from previous years. This change is seemingly why I am being banned, which does not affect the July 4th event itself.
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“Unfortunately, this is the decision by Nathan’s and Major League Eating, which will disappoint many fans who look forward to this event every holiday. To my fans, I love and appreciate you. Rest assured, you will see me competing again soon! STAY HUNGRY!”
Chestnut is a 16-time champion of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, claiming victory every year since 2007 except for 2015 when he was narrowly beaten by Matt Stonie. He set a world record in 2021, consuming 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.
In the most recent contest in 2023, Chestnut ate 62 hot dogs, finishing well ahead of the second-place contender Geoff Esper, who ate 49.
