Fat Bear Week runs Sept. 22–29, 2026, at Katmai National Park & Reserve. The single-elimination tournament invites the public to vote daily as brown bears and bear families compete to be named the fattest and best prepared for winter. Contenders this year include Gully, Walker, Backpack and Bucky; last year’s winner, Chunk, drew attention for recovering from a fractured jaw. The event began in 2014 and is used to teach about salmon-driven weight gain, hibernation, and Katmai’s ecosystem.
Fat Bear Week Returns to Alaska’s Katmai — Vote Daily Sept. 22–29 to Crown the Fattest Bear
Fat Bear Week competition in full swing at an Alaska national park
Brown bears at Alaska’s Katmai National Park & Reserve are bulking up for Fat Bear Week, the park’s popular annual tournament that runs from Sept. 22–29, 2026. This single-elimination event invites the public to vote each weekday as individual bears and bear families face off for the title of the park’s fattest—and most prepared for winter.
How the Tournament Works
Each weekday during the weeklong tournament, two bears (or bear families) are paired in a matchup. Visitors and online viewers cast a daily vote for the bear they believe best represents successful seasonal fattening. Winners advance until a champion is crowned on Sept. 29.
Courtesy National Park Service - PHOTO: Bears at Kaimai National Park compete in the Fat Bear Week 2026 competition from Tuesday, Sept. 22 to Tuesday, Sept. 29.
“There are more cubs at Brooks Camp this year than have been seen in a long time,” said Mark Sturm, superintendent at Katmai National Park & Reserve, in a Fat Bear Week 2026 press release. “A new generation of fat bears is taking shape, and they're off to a strong start. We're excited to watch them grow and learn as they prepare for winter in Katmai's incredible ecosystem.”
This Year’s Contenders
Popular bears competing in 2026 include Gully, Walker, Backpack and Bucky, among others streamed on Katmai’s live bearcams. The public can submit votes on the Fat Bear Week page hosted by the National Park Service.
Courtesy National Park Service - PHOTO: Bears at Kaimai National Park compete in the Fat Bear Week 2026 competition from Tuesday, Sept. 22 to Tuesday, Sept. 29.
Why Fattening Matters
Katmai’s brown bears rely on abundant summer salmon runs and other food sources to put on the fat reserves they’ll need for winter hibernation. Fat Bear Week highlights that seasonal cycle while giving viewers an entertaining, educational window into bear behavior and ecosystem dynamics.
History and Impact
Courtesy National Park Service - PHOTO: Bears at Kaimai National Park compete in the Fat Bear Week 2026 competition from Tuesday, Sept. 22 to Tuesday, Sept. 29.
Fat Bear Week began in 2014 when park ranger Mike Fitz noticed a viewer’s side-by-side photos on a live bearcam showing dramatic seasonal weight gain. Fitz launched a one-day celebration called Fat Bear Tuesday on Sept. 30, 2014, and the event expanded into a weeklong tournament the following year. In 2025 the tournament drew over 1.7 million votes from more than 100 countries, demonstrating global interest in the bears and Katmai’s live bearcam coverage. The 2025 champion, “Chunk,” won not only for size but also for resilience after recovering from a fractured jaw.
Education and Resources
Katmai uses Fat Bear Week to promote wildlife education. The park provides teacher resources so classrooms can incorporate lessons on bears, salmon, food webs, and hibernation. For those who want to take part, vote daily on the official Fat Bear Week page and watch matchups via Katmai’s bearcams.
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