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Joey Chestnut battery charges, explained: How probation impacts hot dog-eating champion's status for Fourth of July originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Joey Chestnut is looking to add another win in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest this summer, but he will be doing so after a run-in with the law.
Chestnut faced a misdemeanor battery charge stemming from an incident in late March when he struck a fan at a bar in Indiana. While the fan was not injured, Chestnut was still determined to have unnecessarily hit someone without their consent.
The case is already closed, so Chestnut can now go back to focusing on preparations for the contest on July 4. Here's a breakdown of Chestnut's battery case from March.
MORE: Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest records
Joey Chestnut battery charges, explained
In March, Chestnut allegedly struck a man who approached him at an Indiana bar, and the competitive eater has since pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery. Chestnut will serve 180 days of probation.
According to an affidavit obtained by Us Weekly, the victim told the police that Chestnut slapped him at Joe's Grill early in the morning on March 21 after shaking his hand.
"The accused pulled [the victim] forward, moves closer and uses his right hand to strike [the victim] on the face with an open hand. [The victim] is observed reacting to the strike and moving his head downward and holding it there while the accused stands over him and [his friend]," a police officer said, via Us Weekly. "[Chestnut] moves toward [the victim] again and [the victim] moves away from the accused."
The day after the incident took place, Chestnut told the police that he was drunk and didn't remember what happened. Then, after the police showed him a video of the incident, Chestnut mentioned he "must have taken offense" at something.
"The touching was nude, insolent or angry because the open-handed strike was nonconsensual to the victim in a manner that caused pain while the accused allegedly used provocative language toward the victim to illicit a reaction," the officer added.
Chestnut isn't fighting the case; instead, he's accepting his punishment as he prepares for the Hot Dog Eating Contest in July.
"Joey regrets engaging and the interaction being misinterpreted. He strives to always connect in a fun manner with fans. In this case, some inappropriate things were said that Joey reacted to. He's committed to avoiding being in those situations going forward," a spokesperson said, via Us Weekly.
MORE: Full list of Joey Chestnut's 55 competitive eating world records
Will Joey Chestnut compete in 2026 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest?
While Chestnut will be on probation during the 2026 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, he will be able to participate in the event.
Chestnut has won the event 17 times since 2007, with his only loss coming in 2015 to Matt Stonie. Chestnut also didn't compete in 2024 as the event banned him that year.
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