Joey Chestnut is set to compete in an event on July 4. He is scheduled to face Takeru Kobayashi in an event titled “Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef,” which will air on Netflix.
Why is Joey Chestnut not competing at Nathan’s this year?
Major League Eating (MLE) announced in June 2024 that Joey Chestnut would not participate in the annual Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. According to a statement from MLE, the decision stemmed from a sponsorship dispute regarding Chestnut’s choice to represent an alternative brand. MLE stated that they had gone to “great lengths” to accommodate Chestnut, but he refused to participate in the event due to his partnership with a competing brand of plant-based hot dogs.
Where can fans watch Joey Chestnut compete on July 4?
Chestnut will compete against Takeru Kobayashi in a special event produced by Netflix. Titled “Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef,” the contest will be streamed live on the platform. The rules for this event differ from the standard Nathan’s format; while the Netflix event was held under stricter guidelines that prohibited dunking food in water and removing the bun and dog and eating them separately, the Nathan’s contest has different regulations.
How do Chestnut’s records compare to current event standards?
Joey Chestnut ate 83 hot dogs during “Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef.”
The Nathan’s Famous contest remains a staple of the July 4th holiday. While the 2024 event will proceed without its long-time champion, the contest continues to feature competitive eaters.
Key Facts Regarding the 2024 Competitive Eating Season
- Event Shift: Joey Chestnut is absent from the Nathan’s Famous contest.
- The Rivalry: The Netflix event reunites Chestnut with Takeru Kobayashi.
- Rule Variations: The “Unfinished Beef” event allows for different techniques compared to the regulations enforced at the Coney Island event.
- Broadcasting: The Nathan’s Famous contest is traditionally broadcast on ESPN, while the Netflix exhibition represents a move toward streaming-exclusive sports entertainment.
As the landscape of competitive eating changes, the focus remains on whether these new formats will produce higher consumption totals. Fans of the sport will be watching both the traditional Coney Island results and the Netflix streaming numbers to determine the current state of professional competitive eating.