Joey Chestnut makes deal to return to hot dog eating contest after being banned
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America's long national nightmare is over and the top dog will be back for his hotdog throne.
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Competitive-eating superstar Joey Chestnut has reached an agreement to return to the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition this year after being banned from the event in 2024.
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The 16-time champion was forced to miss last year's July 4 tradition after getting into a dispute with Major League Eating over a sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods.
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But after at least a week of talks, the two sides have reached an agreement that will see Jaws return to the event this year on Coney Island, N.Y.
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'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 in a post on social media on Monday.
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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. (1/3)
— Joey Chestnut (@joeyjaws) June 16, 2025
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The dispute between MLE and Chestnut arose from a deal that the American signed with Impossible Foods, which was launching a plant-based, meatless hot dog product.
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'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. To be clear: Nathan's is the only hot dog company I've ever worked with,' Chestnut said.
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'I respect that there were differences in interpretation, but I'm grateful we've been able to find common ground. I'm excited to be back on the Coney Island stage, doing what I live to do, and celebrating the Fourth of July with hot dogs in my hands!'
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Patrick Bertoletti won last year's event in Chestnut's absence, eating 58 dogs and buns to take the Mustard Belt.
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He'll be in tough to take down the GOAT of competitive eating — Chestnut hasn't eaten fewer than 60 hot dogs at the event since 2010 and holds the record with 76 in 2021.
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'The Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest stands as an enduring beacon of freedom for our nation and the world,' MLE chair George Shea said in a statement. 'We look forward to watching the greatest eaters as they compete on a celebrated platform for international sports.'
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Winnipeg Free Press
7 hours ago
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Joey ‘Jaws' Chestnut to return to Coney Island hotdog eating contest after contract dispute
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