Fat Bear Week bracket is set: meet the heavyweights, underdogs and defending champ in this year's tournament

Fat Bear Week 2026: Katmai’s Biggest Bears Go Head‑to‑Head for the Title

Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska – The 2026 edition of Fat Bear Week is underway, bringing 16 brown bears from the Brooks River and surrounding waterways into a single‑elimination tournament that has become a fan favorite across the country. Over 1.7 million votes were cast last year, and this season the competition kicks off with a defending champion, a rising star, and a few veteran‑versus‑youngster matchups that promise plenty of drama.

How the Tournament Works

At the heart of Fat Bear Week is a simple idea: each week, visitors, hunters, and wildlife enthusiasts vote online for the bear that has built the most impressive fat reserves in preparation for a months‑long hibernation. The bears face off in a bracket that mirrors college basketball’s March Madness, but the stakes are a lot more…well, edible. The competition runs from September 22 to September 29, with opening‑round matches on the first two nights, quarter‑finals the next, a “Fat Four” on September 28, and the championship bout on the 29th. Voting opens at noon and closes at 9 p.m. Eastern on each day, and the results are posted on the official Fat Bear Week website.

Defending Champion: Bear 32 “Chunk”

The 32‑year‑old Bear 32, who the park staff nicknamed “Chunk” last year, is looking to repeat after a surprisingly resilient performance that earned him the 2025 title. Chunk suffered a broken jaw in June 2025—believed to have occurred during a fight with another male—and bears a distinctive scar and a protruding canine tooth, but the injury didn’t dampen his appetite. He missed most of the salmon run on Brooks River, only reappearing in September with a belly that could have filled a small car. His comeback story is one of the most popular among viewers, and he has a sizable fan base ready to back him for a second term.

Chunk’s first match of this year is slated for Wednesday, September 23, against Bear 164, “Bucky.” Bucky is a nine‑year‑old male who has recently taken a sharp turn toward the top of the river’s food chain, thanks to a clever strategy that keeps him close to the deepest plunge pool of the Brooks Falls waterfall. From there, he can snatch salmon that leap out of the water, giving him a constant buffet that feeds his growing bulk.

Rising Stars and Veteran Showdowns

Bucky (Bear 164)

• Age: ~9 years
• Rapid weight gain, strategic feeding position
• Potential to grow into the 12‑20‑year‑old prime

Walker (Bear 151)

• Once an easygoing fellow, now grumpy and competitive
• Facing Bear 903, “Gully,” who has been challenging his place on the river’s hierarchy

Walker’s battle against Gully is one of the season’s classic veteran‑versus‑youngster duels. Walker’s size and experience have kept him in control of the best fishing spots, but Gully’s growing confidence is threatening to overturn the status quo. The two meet on the opening night, offering viewers an instant clash of old‑school dominance against youthful ambition.

610 “Mama Bear” vs. Backpack (Bear 89)

• 610 was first identified in 2015 and survived an attack that left a sizable wound above her hips.
• She now raises her first known litter of cubs while still amassing fat reserves.
• Facing Bear 89, “Backpack,” on the first night; a matchup that highlights the challenges of motherhood for bears preparing for winter.

Though 610 isn’t the heaviest contender on the field, her story is compelling. From a survivor of a 2015 assault to a first‑time mother, she embodies the resilience that Fat Bear Week celebrates. Her performance will be watched closely by those who value the subtler aspects of bear biology—reproductive success and maternal care—alongside sheer weight.

Why Fans Love Fat Bear Week

Beyond the spectacle of watching massive bears bulk up, the event draws attention to the natural cycle of hibernation and the incredible physiological transformations these animals undergo. Brown bears must store enough fat to survive months of inactivity, and the competition’s emphasis on weight gain offers a window into a vital, often overlooked part of wildlife life cycles.

The tournament also fosters a sense of community. Thousands of people log onto the official Fat Bear Week website to cast votes, discuss strategies, and share photos of the bears in real time. The 1.7 million votes that swirled into the 2025 championship are a testament to the event’s popularity and the public’s fascination with the gentle giants of Alaska.

How to Get Involved

Voters can visit the official Fat Bear Week site to view the complete bracket, track each bear’s progress, and submit their votes. Voting opens at noon and closes at 9 p.m. Eastern on each tournament day. For those who can’t make it to the park, the live streams and daily photo updates on the park’s social media channels keep everyone connected to the action.

The 2026 tournament promises to be as thrilling as ever: a champion looking to cement his legacy, an emerging heavyweight eyeing a future title, seasoned veterans fighting to maintain dominance, and a first‑time mother showing that strength isn’t only about size. As the bears gather on the Brooks River, the stakes are high and the spectacle undeniable.

Fat Bear Week 2026: the biggest bracket of the year—minus the basketball—continues to capture hearts, one hefty belly at a time.