Joey Chestnut cleared to defend hot dog eating title while serving probation

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Even though he’s on probation for a bar fight in Indiana, Joey Chestnut is allowed to leave the state and compete to keep his title at the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4th at Coney Island.

The 17-time champion admitted to hitting a man with an open hand while at Joe’s Grill in Indiana on March 21st. He pleaded guilty on April 20, 2026. Despite the charges, a local judge allowed him to travel to New York for a competition.

According to the alleged victim, Joey Chestnut slapped him on the left side of his face around 2 am. This happened after they shook hands and the victim realized who Chestnut was.

I saw the bar footage the police reviewed, and honestly, at first, it looked like a playful joke to Joey Chestnut. He thought it might not have been serious, but then he admitted the guy who got slapped must have said something that really bothered him.

Joey’s response to the situation

US Weekly reports that when police first spoke to Joey Chestnut on March 22nd, he claimed he was very intoxicated and had no recollection of the incident.

Joey Chestnut’s lawyer, Mario Massillamany, stated that Chestnut accepted responsibility for the incident and settled the case by pleading guilty to a minor charge of battery, a Class B misdemeanor.

Major League Eating has confirmed that Joey Chestnut is still eligible to compete. According to a statement from President Richard Shea to the Associated Press, the recent incident didn’t break any of their rules because it happened outside of a league event and was handled by the police.

He didn’t participate in the 2024 contest because he was disqualified after partnering with Impossible Foods, a plant-based food company. Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest organizers considered this partnership a conflict of interest.

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2026-05-23 17:18