Is Joey Chestnut out for this year’s National Buffalo Wing Festival? ‘It’s dicey’

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — With the announcement of competitive eater Joey Chestnut’s participation in a live Netflix hot dog eating contest, which takes place one day after the National Buffalo Wing Festival, fans are left wondering if he will show up for the fest’s wing eating contest.

On Wednesday, Netflix announced “Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef.” The livestream will take place on Monday, Sept. 2, where Chestnut will face off against fellow competitive eater and longtime rival Takeru Kobayashi.

Drew Cerza, the founder of the National Buffalo Wing Festival, said Friday “It’s dicey” on whether Chestnut will be competing in the wing eating contest this year on News 4 Wake Up.

“We don’t quite know, but you gotta remember, Joey hasn’t won in four years,” Cerza said. “Miki Sudo won two years (ago), James Webb last year, so it’s going to be a great show either way because it’s really about the show.”

Netflix’s livestream announcement followed officials’ confirmation that Chestnut will not be competing in this year’s Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Contest. His absence is “due in part to a plant-based competitor” who he has a new brand deal with, Nexstar’s WPIX reported. Major League Eating’s George Shea said the hot dog contest is one area of exclusivity for MLE.

“With Joey or without, I know his heart’s always going to be in Buffalo, so he’ll be here in spirit if he’s not here physically,” Cerza said.

Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here .