Joey Chestnut’s Fourth Of July Contest Will Be Live-Streamed: How To Watch

It's not Fourth of July without Joey Chestnut, and while he is banned from Nathan's Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest, he will still consume as many hot dogs and buns as possible.

Earlier this year, it was announced that due to a partnership with the vegan company Impossible, the 40-year-old can no longer participate in the competition sponsored by Nathan's.

However, despite the setback, Joey Chestnut is bringing excitement to fans with a live stream of his new event in El Paso, Texas!

Major League Eating dropped a bombshell earlier this year, shocking Americans nationwide.

"We are devastated to learn that Joey Chestnut has chosen to represent a rival brand that sells plant-based hot dogs rather than competing in the 2024 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest," the company said, per the New York Post. "MLE 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."

The news came after the champ made a deal with Impossible Foods, a vegan company that recently launched a plant-based vegan dog. "We’re partnering with the man, the myth, the KING OF MEAT himself, @joeychestnut, to bring you MORE MEAT every Monday," Impossible said in a statement.

"We have worked under the same basic hot dog exclusivity provisions for nearly two decades. However, it seems that Joey and his managers have prioritized a new partnership with a different hot dog brand over our long-time relationship."

At last year’s Nathan's event, Chestnut consumed 62 hot dogs and buns within 10 minutes.

Hours after the news broke, Joey Chestnut took to social media to tell his side.

"I was very disappointed to learn from the media today that after nearly 20 years, I am banned from the Nathan's 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest," he began. "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."

Following his ban, the 40-year-old claimed he "did not have a contract with MLE or Nathan's and they are looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with."

Chestnut didn't stop there. His lengthy Instagram caption added, "This is apparently the basis on which I’m being banned, and it doesn’t impact the July 4th contest."

"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," he added. "To my fans, I love you and appreciate you. Rest assured that you’ll see me eat again soon. Stay tuned and STAY HUNGRY!"

While he won't be at the annual Nathan's Hot Dog eating contest, he will compete against soldiers from Fort Bliss during the annual "Pop Goes the Fort Independence Day" celebration.

"@joeyjaws, Soldiers at Fort Bliss heard you might be looking for a place to eat on July 4th," the official Fort Bliss account said in an X post last month. "We would love to invite you to our Pop Goes the Fort July 4th Celebration to celebrate with our troops and see if you can take on some of our Soldiers in a hot dog eating contest!"

Chestnut then confirmed his participation. "ABSOLUTELY!! Thank you @FortBlissTexas for the invitation!!" he said. "I'm honored to celebrate America's birthday with U.S. ARMY soldiers and their families. Bring me your best 4 eaters and I'll take them down, combined!"

While this Fourth of July will look a bit different, fans of Joey Chestnut can still watch him down hot dogs as he announced the Pop Goes the Fort July 4th Celebration will be live-streamed.

"This 4th will be a little different, but I'll still be eating a whole lot of all-beef hot dogs!" he wrote, adding two hot dog emojis and an American flag emoji. "I'm stoked to be going to Ft. Bliss, where I'll be eating against four of their finest soldiers."

Joey Chestnut will live-stream the event on his YouTube channel starting at 5 p.m. ET.