Fat Bear Week 2026: Sixteen Bears Compete for the Championship at Katmai
Sixteen bears are facing off for Fat Bear Week 2026, the highly anticipated tournament among the chunkiest bears at the Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska. The bracket for this year’s single-elimination contest expanded from last year’s 12 competitors and includes the defending champion, Chunk.
Starting Tuesday, Sept. 22, bear lovers will get to vote on their favorite contenders and choose which bear has packed on more pounds for the winter season. People can vote online between 12 and 9 p.m. ET each day, and voting will continue through Sept. 29, when the winner of Fat Bear Week 2026 will be decided.
How to Watch Fat Bear Week Live Cam and Vote Online
In a series of livestreams on Explore.org, a multimedia organization that partners with the National Park Service to host the bear competition, voters can watch the bears in their natural habitat. Several live cameras are located at Katmai National Park and Preserve, including along Brooks Falls, where brown bears are often spotted catching fish and napping.
Park rangers are also periodically available to answer audience questions about the bears through online ranger talks and Q&A sessions. The competition, which started in 2014 as a one-day event to showcase southwest Alaska bears, received more than 1.7 million votes in 2025 from more than 100 countries, according to the National Park Service.
Bears Have Reached “Peak Fat” Ahead of the Tournament
Mike Fitz, resident naturalist at Explore.org, said Monday that the bears at the national park have reached “peak fat” after “gorging on salmon, berries and other foods” all summer.
“Bears get fat to survive, and fat is the fuel that powers their ability to endure the monthslong famine that is winter hibernation,” Fitz said during a livestream.
The giant creatures can go four to six months without eating, Katmai park ranger Troy Hunt added. Park officials have noted that there are more cubs at Brooks Camp this year than in a long time. More than 100 different bears have been identified at Brooks River so far through the webcams, according to Fitz.
“A new generation of fat bears is taking shape, and they’re off to a strong start. We’re excited to watch them grow and learn as they prepare for winter in Katmai’s incredible ecosystem,” Park Superintendent Mark Sturm said in a statement.
Meet the 16 Fat Bear Week 2026 Contenders
These 16 bears are vying to become the new Fat Bear Week champion.
32 Chunk
All eyes are on Chunk as the Fat Bear Week 2025 titleholder. He’s healed from the broken jaw he sustained last year and is ready to defend the crown.
89 Backpack
Known for his quiet toughness, 89 Backpack is identifiable through his blond ears that pop against his brown fur.
151 Walker
A growing adult male, 151 Walker has relied on his pear-shaped body to rise through the bear hierarchy.
164 Bucky
Bucky has grown big after discovering a fishing spot that lets him catch salmon in the plunge pool at Brooks Falls as they rise from below or leap through the air.
903 Gully
Gully inspired his own name because of his unusual feeding behavior: chasing and eating gulls along Brooks River.
132
132 is one of the largest and most experienced mama bears at Brooks River. She managed to raise three growing cubs while gaining enough fat for the competition.
284 Electra
Years of experience are contained in Electra’s iconic shoulder hump, and she’s here to compete against one of her cubs, 901, while raising two spring cubs.
610
610 may be smaller than other adult females, but she’s mighty and resilient, having survived a serious injury and become independent earlier than the average bear. She has two spring cubs this year, her first known litter.
806
806 raised her own cub while adopting another, Biggie, into her life. She’s kind-hearted but willing to get her paws dirty to protect her family.
901
901 is recognized for her “exceptional fat-building ability” and strong fishing skills that have clearly been passed on to her cub.
620
620 came from a big family that traveled closely and raised cubs together. She became independent last year.
694
694 has found that he doesn’t need to compete with the older bears for salmon if he finds a different spot to feed to get ready for hibernation.
131 Marshmallow
Marshmallow, who is light brown to blond, spent her younger years developing her fishing skills, and she appears to be fatter than ever this year.
428 Studious
Studious is the daughter of Grazer, a former Fat Bear Week champion. She earned her name for her focus while fishing.
909
909 is another competitor whose parent was a former Fat Bear Week winner. She recently lost two cubs this summer.
910
910 is 909’s sister. She has learned multiple ways to catch food and found several places to do so, giving her more options for fuel.
A Growing Tradition in Wildlife Conservation and Tourism
What began as a one-day event in 2014 has evolved into a week-long global phenomenon that draws millions of viewers and raises awareness about bear conservation and the ecosystems of Katmai National Park. The live cams hosted by Explore.org give audiences worldwide a window into the lives of wild brown bears, fostering a connection between people and wildlife that transcends geography.
Park rangers and naturalists like Mike Fitz use the platform to educate the public about bear behavior, hibernation biology, and the importance of preserving wild habitats. The presence of more cubs at Brooks Camp this year suggests a healthy bear population, which park officials view as a positive sign for the ecosystem’s overall health.
Fat Bear Week has also become a significant driver of ecotourism to Alaska, with visitors planning trips around the tournament to see the bears in person. The competition reminds us that conservation success stories exist — when protected habitats and sustainable management allow wildlife to thrive, even the chunkiest bears can become unlikely celebrities.
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