He’s baacckk: Joey Chestnut will once again make his way to Coney Island for this year’s Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.
It’s simply not Independence Day without the…unique tradition, and the “Michael Jordan” of competitive eating is practically synonymous with the event. In a June 16th post on X, formerly Twitter, the 16-time champion revealed the good news to his fans.
“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,” Chestnut wrote.
Joey Chestnut returns to the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest
Although Chestnut was not in the mix last year, his reputation proceeds him, as he managed to once eat a staggering 76 hot dogs in 2021. (Guess that means there’s no room for crinkly fries?) To say that he takes home the gold would truly be an understatement.
Typically, we stick to one one hotdog on the 4th — and we’ll maybe throw in a cheeseburger for good measure. Imagine having close to 100 in one sitting?!
Why was Joey Chestnut banned from the 2024 Nathan’s Hot Do Eating Contest?
In 2024, the champion nosher was dismissed from the competition due to partnering with a plant-based meat brand, a conflict that has since cleared up.
“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,” Chestnut revealed. “To be clear: Nathan’s is the only hot dog company I’ve ever worked with.”
Joey Chestnut record: what are his stats?
Joey Chestnut’s record is 83 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, a record he hit at the Unfinished Beef hot dog-eating contest in September 2024, according to CBS News. Yowza!
Although the competition time is still TBD, interested viewers with strong stomachs can tune in on Friday, July 4th across ESPN networks. May the champion hot dog eater win!