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NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Brace yourselves. Joey Chestnut is returning to the hot dog eating contest; this time, it's not Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating contest.
Netflix dropped the news on Wednesday that Chestnut will compete against Takeru Kobayashi in a live hot dog eating contest streamed through the service this Labor Day.
“It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there — and on Sept. 2, it will be a man-eat-–(hot) dog world, too,” read on Tudum, Netflix’s online site that offers news and exclusive on its original programming. “Streaming live on Netflix, 16-time hot dog–eating champion Joey Chestnut will face off against rival and six-time hot dog–eating champion Takeru Kobayashi in Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef with all-beef hot dogs. The showdown will settle a 15-year rivalry between the two competitive eaters.”
No more Nathan’s
On Tuesday, it was announced that Chestnut would not compete in this year’s Fourth of July Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest due to a new brand deal, according to George Shea of Major League Eating.
“For nearly two decades, we have worked under the same basic hot dog exclusivity provisions. However, it seems that Joey and his managers have prioritized a new partnership with a different hot dog brand over our long-time relationship,” a spokesperson for the MLE said.
Chestnut took to his X account to express his deep disappointment, saying he was ‘gutted’ to learn about the decision that prevented him from participating in the Fourth of July Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.
“To set the record straight, I do not have a contract with MLE or Nathan’s, and they are looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with,” Chestnut wrote in a three-part tweet. “Sadly, this is the decision Nathan's and Major League Eating are making. To my fans, I love you and appreciate you. Rest assured that you’ll see me eat again soon!! STAY HUNGRY!”
Kobayashi was the reigning Mustard Yellow Belt champion for six years. In 2007, Chestnut dethroned Kobayashi, beating him with three hot dogs and buns—66 to 63. Chestnut has been the reigning Mustard Yellow Belt Champion ever since—one can say this beef has gone on for years.
Chestnut will face off against Kobayashi, his frequent Nathan’s competitor, in a live Netflix special on Sept. 2. Kobayashi, who has been rumored to be retired, said in the Netflix release that he is looking forward to facing off with Chestnut once more.
The two have not competed against each other since 2009.
This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press and PIX11 News reporter Emily Ranhal.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.
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