The Fourth of July and Joey Chestnut's hot dog eating dominance have been synonymous with each other for the better part of the last two decades.
This year was different, however, as Chestnut was banned from the 2024 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest due a sponsorship dispute.
Nevertheless, the 16-time champion competed — albeit not in his signature event. He participated in his own hot dog eating contest at Fort Bliss, Texas, pitting his prowess against the combined efforts of four U.S. Army soldiers.
The stipulations were different than the traditional Coney Island event. Contestants had five minutes to eat as many hot dogs as possible. Chestnut had no issue here as he gobbled down 57 hot dogs. The four soldiers combined for 49.
Chestnut nearly outperformed Pat Bertoletti in half the time. Bertoletti won the Nathan's men's eating contest with 58 hot dogs in 10 minutes. Miki Sudo won the women's competition with 51 in 10 minutes — a new world record.
If there was any doubt about Chestnut's status as the greatest in the world, let this competition put those narratives to rest.
Chestnut and the four soldiers combined to eat 106 hot dogs, which raised $106,000 to Operation Homefront. The nonprofit organization helps "ease the burdens and relieve the financial strain for military families in need," according to its donation page.
Joey Chestnut competed against soldiers in a 5-minute hot dog eating contest in Fort Bliss and helped raise $106K for military families 🙏
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 4, 2024
They combined for 106 total hot dogs eaten 🌭🔥 pic.twitter.com/lBRX05qX52
The absence of Chestnut from the traditional Nathan's Fourth of July competition marked the end of an era. Since winning his first Nathan's title in 2007, Chestnut dominated the event, taking home the famed mustard belt in 16 of 17 years.
MORE: Who won the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest without Joey Chestnut?
While the 40-year-old didn't vie for a ninth consecutive title this time around, he still downed franks on Independence Day.
Whether it was Nathan's or not, Chestnut drew plenty of interest on the Fourth of July. The Sporting News provided live updates, highlights and results from Chestnut's hot dog eating contest at Fort Bliss.
MORE: Full list of Joey Chestnut's competitive eating world records
Joey Chestnut hot dog contest live results, highlights
All times Eastern.
5:50 p.m.: That'll do it for Chestnut's hot dog eating contest. Chestnut said he was on record pace with 57 in five minutes, but he said he'll set a new record in the future.
5:45 p.m.: For context, Bertoletti won the men's Nathan's contest with 58 hot dogs eaten in 10 minutes. Sudo won the women's contest with 51 in 10 minutes. Chestnut had 57 in five minutes.
5:44 p.m.: Was it ever a doubt? Chestnut takes home another title, slamming 57 hot dogs to the four military members' 49.
5:42 p.m.: The army is keeping pace with Chestnut halfway through the competition.
5:38 p.m.: Buckle up, folks. The 4-vs.-1 is about to begin.
5:33 p.m.: Chestnut will be competing against four soldiers. Let's see if four soldiers combined is enough to take down the 16-time champion. The event will last five minutes rather than 10 minutes like the Nathan's contest does.
5:29 p.m.: There we have it, a pizza eating champion is named. It's time for the hot dog eating contest.
5:27 p.m.: It was close, but that's because the no contestant surpassed four slices. Two people finished with four and are going to an "old school" tiebreaker. The crowd cheered louder for the competitor they believed won.
5:19 p.m.: Before the hot dog contest, there will be a pizza eating contest. It's eight slices per box with three minutes on the clock. Competitors are in the military and will not face off against Chestnut.
5:17 p.m.: Chestnut is taking the stage to address the crowd but is not eating just yet.
5:14 p.m.: The event is beginning with the national anthem before contestants are introduced. It seems to be a much smaller crowd than the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, though that's not surprising.
5 p.m.: The broadcast has begun! Stay tuned for live updates throughout Chestnut's event.
4:40 p.m.: We're 20 minutes out from Chestnut's hot dog eating contest. Fans may not have seen him on Coney Island but they'll witness him live soon.
4:18 p.m.: The men's competition followed, of course without Chestnut. Bertoletti won the title with 58 hot dogs consumed — his personal best. He became the first person not named Chestnut to win the competition since Matt Stonie won in 2015.
4:15 p.m.: The Fourth of July started off with a bang at the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest as Sudo set a new women's world record with 51 hot dogs consumed.
MORE: Explaining Joey Chestnut's ban from Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest
How many hot dogs did Joey Chestnut eat today?
Chestnut ate 57 hot dogs in the five-minute competition at Fort Bliss. He's eaten at least 60 hot dogs in every Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest since 2011, but those competitions are 10 minutes. Still, he nearly hit the mark in half as much time.
MORE: How do you prepare to win a hot dog eating contest?
How to watch Joey Chestnut's hot dog contest 2024
- Date: July 4
- Time: 5 p.m. ET
- Livestream: YouTube
Chestnut's hot dog eating competition at Fort Bliss, Texas, will begin at 5 p.m. ET Thursday, July 4. While it won't be televised like the Nathan's contest, it will be free to watch live on Chestnut's YouTube channel.
