Why Joey Chestnut isn't competing in the 2024 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest

The only thing that can stop Joey Chestnut is red tape.

Watching Chestnut dominate the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest has become as much a staple of Fourth of July festivities as barbecues, fireworks and your raunchy uncle downing one too many Miller Lites. This year, though, Chestnut won't be dunking buns or the competition.

MORE: Joey Chestnut by the numbers – How 'Jaws' dominated the field

The show — and the stomachs — must go on, even without Chestnut. Here's why he won't be at the corner of Surf and Stilwell come July 4:

Is Joey Chestnut in the Nathan's hot dog eating contest?

Chestnut will not be competing in the 2024 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest due to a contractual dispute with Major League Eating, the organization that sanctions the event.

In June, Chestnut signed an endorsement deal with Impossible Foods to sponsor a new, meatless hot dog. Representing a rival brand is something that gave MLE and Nathan's Famous more than a bit of indigestion, leading to him not being at the event this year.

Watch the 2024 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest

The ban, though, isn't permanent, according to MLE, which wants Chestnut to compete at future events.

"Joey Chestnut is an American hero. We would love nothing more than to have him at the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest, which he has dominated for years. We hope that he returns when he is not representing a rival brand," MLE said in a statement.

That said, this isn't the last you'll see of Chestnut downing dogs.

Chestnut vs. Kobayashi

Though he's not eating hot dogs on the Fourth of July, Chestnut will return to the competitive eating spotlight in a big, big way in 2024, by facing an old rival.

Chestnut will take on nemesis Takeru Kobayashi on Sept. 2 in a live Netflix special titled "Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef."

"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!"

Kobayashi and Chestnut last jawed off in 2009, with Chestnut chewing out the six-time Mustard Belt winner.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Joey Chestnut in the Nathan's hot dog eating contest?