Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi to Face Off in Netflix Hot Dog Eating Contest After Nathan's Ban

Reigning champion Joey Chestnut, who was banned from the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, will compete against rival Takeru Kobayashi in a Netflix live-streamed event on Labor Day.

Amidst the controversy surrounding his ban from the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, Joey Chestnut has found a unique opportunity to showcase his competitive eating prowess on Netflix. On Labor Day, September 2, Chestnut will go head-to-head with another legendary eater, Takeru Kobayashi, in a special titled "Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef."

This highly anticipated showdown marks the latest chapter in the long-standing rivalry between the two giants of competitive eating. Their last encounter at Nathan's in 2009 ended in a nail-biting overtime battle, with Chestnut emerging victorious.

The Netflix event will feature the duo competing in a hot dog eating contest, with the hot dogs being all-beef. This stipulation is significant due to Chestnut's partnership with Impossible Foods, a company that produces vegan wieners. The deal with Impossible Foods violated the rules of Major League Eating (MLE) and Nathan's, leading to Chestnut's ban from this year's contest.

Chestnut, a 16-time winner of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, has expressed his disappointment over the ban. "I love competing in that event, I love celebrating America with my fans all over this great country on the 4th, and I have been training to defend my title," he said in a statement.

However, MLE maintains that it offered accommodations to Chestnut, including an appearance fee and permission to participate in a rival hot dog eating contest on Labor Day. The league emphasized that Chestnut's ban stems from his representation of a rival brand.

Nevertheless, the Netflix event will allow fans to witness the iconic rivalry between Chestnut and Kobayashi. Kobayashi, who has hinted at his retirement from competitive eating, sees this battle as an opportunity to wrap up his career with a victory. "Retiring for me will only happen after I take him down one last time," he said.

Chestnut, too, is eager to face his rival on Netflix. "Competing against Kobayashi pushed me to be so much better," he said. "I know that fans have waited a long time for another chapter of our rivalry and I can't wait for our massive showdown live on Netflix! It's time to give the people what they want!"

The Netflix event will provide a platform for the two legendary eaters to showcase their incredible abilities and settle their long-standing rivalry. Fans worldwide can tune in to witness the spectacle unfold live.

In addition to the hot dog eating contest, Netflix is also producing a documentary that will delve into the history and significance of the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. The documentary will feature interviews with past champions, experts, and cultural commentators, offering a comprehensive look at this unique American tradition.