Joey Chestnut, the world-famous hot dog eating champion, returns to the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition after taking a year off — and is expected to dominate once again.
Chestnut, who was booted from last year’s July 4 competition after taking a deal with fake meat company Impossible Foods, announced his return last month.
“I’m thrilled to be returning to the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest,” Chestnut said. “This event means the world to me. It’s a cherished tradition, a celebration of American culture, and a huge part of my life.”
Although Chestnut did not compete in Nathan’s 2024 competition, he still holds 55 world records for various eating competitions. According to Major League Eating, the moderating body behind the hot dog eating contest, Chestnut also holds records for eating 121 Twinkies in six minutes, 390 shrimp wontons in eight minutes, and, of course, 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes.
Chestnut has earned the “Mustard Belt” 16 times since 2008, the most anyone has ever won. He holds a strong lead over the competitor with the next highest number of wins, Takeru Kobayashi, who earned six belts before retiring due to health concerns.
Major League Eating banned Chestnut from the Nathan’s Famous competition last year after he signed a deal with Impossible Foods, a Nathan’s competitor.
In a statement last year on X, the group said, “We are devastated to learn that Joey Chestnut has chosen to represent a rival brand that sells plant-based hot dogs rather than competing in the 2024 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest.”
During his hiatus from Nathan’s Famous competition, Chestnut set the record for the most Buffalo Wild Wings eaten in one sitting, consuming 14.4 pounds of wings.
Patrick Bertoletti, who won last year’s competition with 58 hot dogs, has expressed his concern over Chestnut’s return. In an interview with Sportsbook Review, Bertoletti said, “I want to do better so that I can silence [Chestnut].”
“My goal the whole time was to do better than last year, and that’s always been the case,” Bertoletti said. “If Joey’s not there, then I have a very good shot of winning if I do that. And now that Joey is going, it’s the same thing.”
Major League Eating celebrated his return to the Nathan’s Famous competition by saying, “He’s back. The legend. The GOAT. Joey Chestnut. Watch him dominate once again at the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. You don’t want to miss this.”
The winner of today’s competition will take home $10,000. The runner-up will receive $5,000, and third place wins $2,500.
Online prediction market Polymarket already has a few bets on the competition live. Fans have given Chestnut about a 90% chance of winning. They are also more divided on how many hot dogs Chestnut will eat, with most doubting he will beat his own record.
