Joey Chestnut vs. Takeru Kobayashi Labor Day hot dog eating contest: Date, time, rules, how to watch

After being banned from the 2024 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, Joey Chestnut will face off against old rival Takeru Kobayashi in a hot dog eating contest on Labor Day, September 2, 2024, streaming exclusively on Netflix.

The event has been dubbed "Unfinished Beef."

Chestnut, a 16-time winner of the Nathan's competition, was barred from competing in the 2024 edition after partnering with another hot dog brand, violating Major League Eating's "hot dog exclusivity provision."

The 40-year-old holds each of the top 12 records for hot dogs and buns (HDB) eaten at the Nathan's competition, with his all-time record of 76 HDB in 10 minutes coming in 2021.

Let's take a look ahead at what to expect from this first-of-its-kind event, including when it is, how to watch, history of the rivalry, and more.

Joey Chestnut vs. Takeru Kobayashi date

Joey Chestnut vs. Takeru Kobayashi will take place on Labor Day on Monday, September 2, 2024.

Joey Chestnut vs. Takeru Kobayashi start time

A start time for Joey Chestnut vs. Takeru Kobayashi has not been announced.

This page will be updated with start time information once it becomes available.

How to watch, stream Joey Chestnut vs. Takeru Kobayashi

Joey Chestnut vs. Takeru Kobayashi can be streamed exclusively on Netflix.

Joey Chestnut vs. Takeru Kobayashi rules

The rules for this competition are not yet known, although they are expected to follow the same format as the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest - whoever can eat more hot dogs and buns than the other in a 10-minute span.

Joey Chestnut vs. Takeru Kobayashi rivalry

The competition is called “Unfinished Beef” for a reason.

Similar to Michael Jordan and LeBron James, or Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes, Kobayashi and Chestnut have dominated the sport of professional eating over the past two-plus decades.

Kobayashi, who hails from Nagano, Japan, shattered the world record in his Nathan’s competition debut in 2001, devouring 50 HDB in 12 minutes. He broke that mark the following year, winning his second of what ended up being six-straight titles.

Chestnut made his debut in the 2005 event, when he finished third behind Kobayashi and Sonya Thomas. The following year, he finished second to Kobayashi, who ate 53 ¾ HDB to Chestnut’s 52.

Chestnut won his first title in 2007, setting a new world record with 66 HDB in 12 minutes.

After going back-and-forth the previous few years, the rivalry between Kobayashi and Chestnut caught aflame in 2008.

Both competitors finished the 10-minute timer (down from 12 minutes in previous years) with 59 HDB. They proceeded to compete in a “spur-of-the-moment” five-dog eat off. Chestnut ate five hot dogs in 50 seconds, with Kobayashi doing so in 57 seconds, giving Chestnut the title.

2009 marks the last time the two have competed against eachother, when Chestnut set another world record with 68 HDB to Kobayashi’s 64 ½.

Kobayashi was banned from the competition in 2010 due to a contract dispute with Nathan’s, and has not competed since. He was arrested after climbing onto the stage of the 2011 competition. He retired from competitive eating in 2024, but will compete one final time in “Unfinished Beef.”

“Retiring for me will only happen after I take him down one last time,” Kobayashi told Netflix. “This rivalry has been brewing for a long time. Competing against Joey live on Netflix means fans all over the world can watch me knock him out.”

“Through all my years of competitive eating, Kobayashi stands out as my fiercest rival,” Chestnut told Netflix.