Joey Chestnut will line up for the July 4 Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest despite serving 180 days of probation for a misdemeanor battery conviction. The Indiana bar altercation, in which he slapped a man, led to a guilty plea on April 20 and a sentence in Hamilton County. A judge granted permission for out‑of‑state travel, clearing his path to defend the Mustard Belt.

Chestnut entered the 2025 show as a 17‑time champion, having reclaimed the title with 70½ hot dogs in ten minutes after missing the 2024 edition over an Impossible Foods endorsement. He capped a streak at the 2026 Ultimate Bologna Showdown, devouring 16 pounds of sausage in eight minutes for a world record. Major League Eating president Richard Shea said the incident does not breach the code.

Fans will see Chestnut vie for his 18th Mustard Belt, a draw that sustains the contest’s national profile and ticket sales. Probation limits his movements but does not bar competition, and the judge’s travel waiver keeps him eligible. His participation underscores that legal repercussions need not erase a still dominant athlete’s season.