Katmai’s brown bears are back for their annual Fat Bear Week, and this year’s bracket is bigger than ever. The 2026 edition features 16 competitors, as fans vote on which bruin has packed on the most pounds for hibernation.
The contest kicks off Tuesday, Sept. 22, when public voting starts. The bracket runs through Sept. 29, when a champion is crowned. Viewers can follow the action via webcams on Explore.org, watching the bears fish, eat and feud along the Brooks River.
Backpack Joins the Field
Among the newcomers is Bear 89, a male nicknamed “Backpack.” His moniker comes from an injury he suffered as a cub, which forced him to ride on his mother’s back. Another new contender is 151 Walker, one of the most dominant male bears on the river.
Park officials say the bracket reflects a generational shift in Katmai’s ecosystem. There are more cubs at Brooks Camp than usual, according to Park Superintendent Mark Sturm.
“There are more cubs at Brooks Camp this year than have been seen in a long time,” Sturm said in a news release. “A new generation of fat bears is taking shape, and they’re off to a strong start.”
Last Year’s Winner Returns
Last year’s champion, Bear 32 nicknamed “Chunk,” is back for a possible repeat. Weighing in at over 1,200 pounds, Chunk won over voters despite a broken jaw and time spent playing with younger bears.
His path was not smooth. A year earlier, Chunk was villainized by some after killing a cub belonging to Grazer, the 2024 champion. This year, voters will decide whether the redemption arc continues.
Cubs Among the Contenders
Several cubs are included in this year’s bracket. Bear 806, a female, adopted an older cub while raising her own from this spring. That pairing adds a layer of family drama to the competition.
Katmai National Park Ranger Sarah Bruce noted the challenges facing individual bears. Many single adult females must help their cubs get enough calories, she said during an online chat unveiling the bracket.
“When you’re voting, consider the challenges of a bear’s life,” Bruce said. “Trust your gut and go with whatever you think the fattest bear is.”
A Record Year for Cubs
Mike Fitz, a former Katmai ranger who now works as a resident naturalist at Explore.org, confirmed the cub boom. He said 37 cubs were counted at Brooks River this year.
Bruce also highlighted Bear 909, who has prepared for hibernation after losing both of her cubs this year. Her resilience is part of what makes the bracket compelling.
The Bears’ Annual Transformation
Before-and-after photos show the dramatic change the bears undergo each year. They emerge gaunt and bony in the spring, then bulk up from as little as 600 pounds for an adult male in the summer to more than 1,000 pounds in the fall.
The bears endure a condition called hyperphagia, feeding a relentless hunger to build the fat they need to survive winter. The park uses Fat Bear Week to teach the public and students about brown bears, sockeye salmon and their ecosystem.
About 2,200 bears are estimated to live in Katmai National Park and Preserve’s 4.2 million acres.
International Voting Returns
Fat Bear Week began in 2014, and interest has grown steadily. For last year’s contest, people cast more than 1.7 million votes from more than 100 countries, according to the park.
The competition has become a global phenomenon, with viewers tuning in from around the world to watch the bears feast and compete.
What to Watch For
The early favorites will likely include Chunk and dominant male 151 Walker. Fans should check the webcams on Explore.org to see how the bears are faring between votes.
Hard Numbers
- Bracket: 16 bears
- Voting: Starts Tuesday, Sept. 22; new champion crowned Sept. 29
- Webcams: Brooks River on Explore.org
- Last year’s winner: Chunk (Bear 32)
- Cubs counted this year: 37
- Total bears in park: About 2,200
- Park acreage: 4.2 million acres
- Votes last year: More than 1.7 million from more than 100 countries
Source material: “Alaska's salmon-feasting bears face off in biggest Fat Bear Week ever,” NPR.
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