Sports offers plenty of heated rivalries: Celtics vs. Lakers. Packers vs. Bears. Red Sox vs. Yankees.
In the competitive eating world, look no further than Joey Chestnut vs. Takeru Kobayashi.
But there can only be one top dog amid the hot dogs. The competitive eating aficionados are set to meet in a one-on-one contest to determine the true champion of the frankfurter.
Chestnut is the most decorated competitor over the last decade. The champion eater has won 16 of the last 17 annual Nathan's July 4 contests, including the last eight in a row — but he will not be competing in the contest this year.
"Through all of my years in competitive eating, Kobayashi stands out as my fiercest rival," Chestnut said in a statement. "Competing against him pushed me to be so much better. 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."
Before Chestnut's reign, Kobayashi stood as the one to beat at every hot dog eating competition. The six-time Nathan’s Hot Dog champion famously broke onto the scene in 2001, when he shattered the record at his first Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Championship, doubling the total of the previous record holder.
While Kobayashi announced his retirement from competitive eating in May, he is making a final return to face off with the current king.
"Retiring for me will only happen after I take him down one last time," Kobayashi said in a statement. "This rivalry has been brewing for a long time. Competing against Joey live on Netflix means fans all over the world can watch me knock him out."
The two legends have not faced off in a hot dog eating competition since 2009. At that event, a five hot dog sudden death was needed, with Chestnut besting Kobayashi in the end.
Here is what you need to know about the special winner-take-all event in the hot dog eating sphere.
MORE: Latest news on Joey Chestnut's ban from 2024 hot dog eating contest
When is Joey Chestnut vs. Kobayashi?
Chestnut vs. Kobayashi is set to take place on Labor Day, on Monday, Sept. 2.
A rivalry simmering for 15 years.
— Netflix (@netflix) June 12, 2024
CHESTNUT VS. KOBAYASHI: UNFINISHED BEEF — the ultimate hot dog eating competition — will air LIVE on Netflix, Monday, September 2. pic.twitter.com/MeVQP1lQuS
The event will stream solely on Netflix. It is one of a number of competitions that the streaming platform is picking up as Netflix puts its stamp on the sports streaming world.
Is Joey Chestnut banned from the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest?
Chestnut will not compete in the 2024 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. The 16-time champion was left off the list of competitors after his ban.
The New York Post reported that Chestnut was banned from the event due to a sponsorship dispute. He recently agreed to a deal to promote Impossible Foods, which launched a vegan hot dog. While the organizers of the Nathan's contest were willing to let Chestnut compete even after he agreed to the Netflix special, the company would not allow Chestnut to promote a different hot dog brand.
"Major League Eating and Nathan's went to great lengths to accommodate Joey and his management team, agreeing to the appearance fee and allowing Joey to compete in a rival, unbranded hot dog eating contest on Labor Day," MLE said in a statement.
MLE offered Chestnut a new four-year, $1.2 million contract to try to lure him back, the New York Post reported. Chestnut made $200,000 for the event in 2023. Both MLE and Nathan's added that they would welcome Chestnut back in the future if he agreed to their conditions.
A few hours laters, though, MLE pushed back on the report of the ban. Richard Shea of MLE told NBC News' Greg Rosenstein that the organization "wants" him at the event.
"There is no ban," Shea said. "Major League Eating wants him there. The fans want him there. Nathan's wants him there."
Chestnut released a three-part statement on X, formerly Twitter, explaining his sponsorship deal as the reason he is barred from the competition.
"To set the record straight, I do not have a contract with MLE or Nathans and they are looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with," Chestnut said. "This is apparently the basis on which I’m being banned."
(1/3)I was gutted to learn from the media that after 19 years Im banned from the Nathan's July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest. 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.
— Joey Chestnut (@joeyjaws) June 11, 2024
(2/3)To set the record straight, I do not have a contract with MLE or Nathans and they are looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with.This is apparently the basis on which I’m being banned, and it doesn’t impact the July 4th event.
— Joey Chestnut (@joeyjaws) June 11, 2024
(3/3) Sadly, this is the decision Nathan's and Major League Eating are making, and it will deprive the great fans of the holiday’s usual joy and entertainment. To my fans, I love you and appreciate you. Rest assured that you’ll see me eat again soon!! STAY HUNGRY!
— Joey Chestnut (@joeyjaws) June 11, 2024
Chestnut said he had been training to defend his title and any suspension will "deprive the great fans of the holiday's usual joy and entertainment."
