In a surprising turn of events, Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog-eating contest organizers announced that Joey Chestnut would not be competing this year due to a deal with a rival brand. However, Netflix quickly stepped in to announce a new hot dog-eating competition featuring Chestnut and his longtime rival Takeru Kobayashi. The live Netflix special, titled “Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef,” will showcase the two competitive eaters chowing down on all-beef hot dogs in a nod to reports that Chestnut’s rival brand deal is with Impossible Foods, a plant-based hot dog company.
Major League Eating, the organization overseeing the Nathan’s contest, stated that Chestnut’s absence was due to an “exclusivity” issue and that it was his decision to step back from the competition he has been a part of since 2005. Chestnut disputed this claim, contending that it was Nathan’s and Major League Eating who made the decision, disappointing fans who have come to expect his participation in the annual event. Chestnut assured his supporters that they would see him competing again soon and encouraged them to “STAY HUNGRY!” Despite no formal confirmation of a relationship with Impossible Foods, Chestnut stated that they support his decision to compete in any competition without restrictions.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams chimed in on the debate, urging Nathan’s and Major League Eating to resolve their issues and bring back Chestnut for another Fourth of July at Coney Island. Netflix’s announcement of the hot dog-eating competition garnered mixed reactions from event organizers, with some expressing that attempting to replicate the Nathan’s contest would be challenging. However, they acknowledged the streamer’s efforts as a form of flattery towards the original event. Chestnut and Kobayashi expressed their excitement for the upcoming showdown, with Chestnut acknowledging Kobayashi as his fiercest rival and their rivalry serving as motivation to improve.
Kobayashi, who has been rumored to be retired, shared his eagerness to face off against Chestnut once more, vowing to retire only after defeating his opponent one last time. The rivalry between the two competitive eaters has been brewing for years, and fans around the world will have the chance to witness their showdown live on Netflix. This new hot dog-eating competition marks Netflix’s foray into live TV events and emphasizes the company’s interest in sports programming. Additionally, Netflix plans to broadcast Christmas Day NFL games starting this year and WWE’s “Raw” in 2025, further solidifying its commitment to offering a diverse range of content to viewers.
