Joey Chestnut Competes in Alternative Fourth of July Eating Contest Amid Nathan’s Ban

16-time Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest champion, Joey Chestnut, will be notably absent from this year’s competition due to a ban imposed by Major League Eating (MLE) following his affiliation with plant-based hot dog brand Impossible Foods.

Despite the ban, Chestnut is set to compete in a unique five-minute eating contest against soldiers on the Fourth of July at Fort Bliss Army base in El Paso, Texas, far from the traditional Coney Island event.

While the Nathan’s contest typically lasts 10 minutes, Chestnut aims to outperform the winner’s hot dog consumption in half the time, targeting a tally exceeding 56 hot dogs and buns.

Although not televised by ESPN like the original contest, the event will be streamed online starting at 5 p.m. ET, with aerial banners promoting the spectacle in Los Angeles and Miami.

Chestnut’s ban stemmed from his endorsement deal with Impossible Foods, sparking a contract dispute with MLE, which eventually ruled him out of this year’s Nathan’s contest.

Following the ban, Chestnut expressed interest in competing against Takeru Kobayashi on Labor Day, a highly anticipated event to be broadcast on Netflix.

In response to the ban, New York mayor Eric Adams called for reconciliation, emphasizing Chestnut’s integral role in the Nathan’s contest and encouraging a resolution.

Despite the ban, Chestnut maintains a positive outlook and focuses on the forthcoming competitive eating events while potentially leaving the door open for future collaboration with MLE.

Emphasizing his commitment to a meat-based diet, Chestnut clarifies that he will continue to consume all-beef hot dogs, dispelling misconceptions about his dietary choices amid the controversy.