Sixteen bears are competing in the annual Fat Bear Week tournament to determine which animal has gained the most weight for the upcoming winter hibernation.
Key facts
- •The 2026 competition features 16 bears, up from 12 in the previous year.
- •Voting is open daily from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET until the winner is decided on Sept. 29.
- •Bears at Katmai can go four to six months without eating during hibernation.
- •In 2025, the event received more than 1.7 million votes from over 100 countries.
- •More than 100 different bears have been identified at the Brooks River area so far this year.
Fat Bear Week 2026 has officially begun at Alaska's Katmai National Park and Preserve. This year's single-elimination tournament features 16 brown bears, an increase from the 12 competitors in 2025. The contest invites the public to vote online for their favorite bears as they prepare for their winter hibernation period.
By the numbers
Competition Details and Voting
Voting for the tournament runs daily from Sept. 22 through Sept. 29, between 12 p.m. and 9 p.m. ET. The event, which began in 2014, allows the public to view the bears via livestreams on Explore.org, which partners with the National Park Service. In 2025, the competition drew more than 1.7 million votes from over 100 countries.
Biological Importance of Weight Gain
According to naturalist Mike Fitz, the bears have reached 'peak fat' after a summer of consuming salmon and berries. This weight gain is essential for survival, as the animals can endure a famine lasting four to six months during winter hibernation. Park officials noted a high number of cubs at Brooks Camp this year, with over 100 individual bears identified via webcams.
2026 Bear Contenders
The field of 16 includes the defending 2025 champion, Chunk, who is returning after recovering from a broken jaw. Other notable competitors include 89 Backpack, known for his blond ears; 151 Walker, recognized for his pear-shaped body; and 132, an experienced mother bear. The bracket also features bears with unique histories, such as Gully, who is named for his habit of chasing gulls, and 610, who is noted for her resilience after surviving a serious injury.
Timeline
- 2014The Fat Bear Week competition was established as a one-day event.
- Sept. 22, 2026The 2026 tournament began with voting for the 16 bear contenders.
- Sept. 29, 2026The winner of the 2026 Fat Bear Week will be decided.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by CBS News Entertainment.
