Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska has brought back its annual Fat Bear Week online competition for 2026. The public votes in a tournament to decide which of the park’s brown bears has packed on the most weight before winter, and last year’s champion, Chunk, is back to defend his title.
Fat Bear Week celebrates the brown bear’s survival skills. The animals pack on as much weight as they can before the October/November hibernation period. In 2025, more than 1.7 million votes were cast from more than 100 countries.
Chunk’s Return
Chunk was the winner in 2025. He weighs 1,200 pounds and had broken his jaw and injured his paw earlier in the season. Despite those injuries, he bounced back to win the contest.
He is now back for the 2026 edition. The 12th Annual Fat Bear Week runs from September 22-29. Sixteen bears are competing in this year’s tournament, and they have been put into head-to-head matchups.
The general public votes for who they believe deserves to advance to the grand final. The winner is expected to be announced on Friday October 2. There is no actual prize for the winner.
What the Park’s Leader Said
Katmai National Park Superintendent Mark Sturm commented on the current season. “There are more cubs at Brooks Camp this year than have been seen in a long time,” he said. “A new generation of fat bears is taking shape, and they’re off to a strong start.”
That suggests the younger bears are following in the adults’ footsteps, putting on weight ahead of the coming winter.
How the Voting Works
The competition runs on fatbearweek.org. Anyone can cast a vote for their favorite bear. The format is a tournament, with head-to-head matchups leading to a grand final.
The votes determine who moves forward. Last year’s total of 1.7 million casts shows the contest has grown beyond its early days.
Chunk’s Road Back
Chunk faced a rough season in 2025. A broken jaw and an injured paw would normally slow down a bear’s ability to feed. That he bounced back to win makes his championship notable.
His return this year means the public will get another chance to watch him eat. Fans who followed his 2025 campaign will likely want to see how he has recovered over the summer.
The Cubs Taking Shape
Sturm’s comment about the cubs at Brooks Camp points to the next generation of fat bears. He described them as being “off to a strong start.”
Whether any of those young bears will challenge the adult contenders remains to be seen. For now, the focus stays on the 16 bears currently in the tournament.
A Global Phenomenon
The 1.7 million votes from more than 100 countries in 2025 showed the reach of the competition. People around the world tuned in to watch the bears eat and vote on who they thought deserved to win.
This year’s edition continues that tradition. The format remains the same: public voting, head-to-head matchups, and a grand final.
| Comparison | 2025 Edition | 2026 Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | Chunk | Chunk returns |
| Votes cast | 1.7 million | Not yet announced |
| Format | Public voting, head-to-head matchups | Public voting, head-to-head matchups |
| Countries represented | More than 100 | Not specified |
The Winner Will Be Announced
The winner is expected to be announced on Friday October 2. After that, the tournament will be over for another year.
No prize comes with the title. The reward is the recognition from the public, who have spent the week voting and watching.
Chunk’s return adds a layer of drama. A bear who bounced back from injury is now back to face a fresh field of competitors.
The contest is a global event. It brings people together to watch animals do what comes naturally to them.
Chunk’s road back from injury made him a memorable winner in 2025. His return this year gives fans another chance to cheer for him.
The cubs at Brooks Camp offer a look at the future of fat bears. Sturm’s comment suggests they are already learning the trade.
The voting begins soon. The public will decide who advances. And on October 2, the winner will be announced.
Until then, the bears will keep eating. And the world will keep watching.
Source material: “Fat Bear Week returns to crown Alaska’s fattest bear,” Dexerto.
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