Fat Bear Week 2026 kicked off Tuesday morning, and yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. Sixteen brown bears at Alaska’s Katmai National Park are competing to be crowned the fattest as they bulk up for winter hibernation. Voting is open now through September 29 at 5 p.m., and the winner is announced that same day. Last year, more than a million people cast a vote.
The defending champion is Bear 32, known as Chunk, who won in 2025 despite a permanently broken jaw, a broken canine and broken front teeth. Rangers say he’s still gaining weight, which is remarkable. In round one, he faces Bear 164, one of the dominant bears in the field. Two big fan favorites, Grazer and The Flotato, are not competing this year, opening the door for newcomers like Bear 694, the youngest at just four years old, and Bear 131, who makes her bracket debut.
Part of what makes this fun is the story underneath it. The bears depend entirely on the salmon run to put on the fat they need to survive hibernation, and the competition highlights the health of that ecosystem along with the long tradition of Indigenous stewardship in the region. It’s a light, family-friendly event with a real conservation message.
Who’s your pick to take the title this year? Head to the station’s social pages and let us know.
