Joey Chestnut, the reigning champion of competitive eating, is returning to the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4th after a one-year suspension. Chestnut was banned in 2024 for endorsing a rival plant-based hot dog brand. His return is highly anticipated, with organizers expecting a large crowd and significant media attention. Chestnut aims to reclaim his title from Patrick "Deep Dish" Bertoletti and potentially break his own record of 76 hot dogs.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.