Katmai National Park in Alaska is once again hosting its beloved Fat Bear Week, a bracket-style tournament that pits the park's brown bears against each other in a battle of bulk. Voting opens Tuesday at noon Eastern Time, and the winner will be crowned on Sept. 29.
The competition, organized by the National Park Service (NPS), celebrates the bears' remarkable weight gain as they fatten up for winter hibernation. Each bear's transformation from spring scrawniness to autumn rotundity is showcased through photos and live webcam footage, and the public votes for the bear they think is doing the best job packing on pounds.
Fat Bear Week began almost by accident in 2014, according to the NPS. Park ranger Mike Fitz noticed a comment on the bear cam live feed featuring before-and-after images of the same bear, showing how much weight it had gained between June and September. Fitz was struck by the dramatic change and began brainstorming ways to highlight the bears' seasonal transformation. What started as a one-day event has since grown into a week-long celebration of bear fatness.
The fat itself is critical to the bears' survival, the NPS explains. "Fat is the fuel that allows bears to endure winter hibernation, a prolonged period of time where a bear's metabolic rate drops, and the bears survive off their fat stores. During this time, they may lose up to one-third of their body weight as they rely solely on their fat reserves."
Voters are encouraged to judge the bears on any criteria they choose—be it sheer size, a compelling backstory, or sheer charisma. Last year's champion, the 1,200-pound bear known as Chunk, took the title despite a broken jaw, likely from a fight with another bear. His victory drew an estimated 1.5 million votes in the 2025 competition.
This year's tournament features a fresh field of contenders, and fans can meet the bears online ahead of voting. The NPS has posted profiles of each bear, complete with photos and notes on their condition. The competition is a fan favorite, drawing attention from wildlife enthusiasts and casual observers alike.
While Fat Bear Week is a lighthearted diversion, it also underscores the broader health of Katmai's ecosystem. The bears' ability to fatten up depends on a healthy salmon run and a stable habitat, making the contest a proxy for environmental well-being. The NPS uses the event to educate the public about bear biology and conservation.
As the tournament progresses, expect the usual social media buzz, with supporters rallying behind their favorite bears. The final vote will determine which bear takes home the 2026 crown, but all participants are winners in the race to survive the winter.
