major league eating

Why an All-American Tradition Banned Its Biggest Star: The Joey Chestnut Story

July 4, 2025

CONEY ISLAND, NY – For the first time since 2005, reigning champion Joey Chestnut will not compete at the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, marking a dramatic fracture in one of America’s most peculiar sporting traditions.

The Real Story of Joey Chestnut: What It Takes to Be an Eating Champion

June 28, 2025

NEW YORK, NY – Sixteen-time champion Joey Chestnut will not compete in this year’s Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, a stunning development that has put a spotlight on the intense business and physical demands of a niche sport.