Fat Bear Week 2026 Kicks Off: Defending Champion Chunk Returns in Expanded 16-Bear Tournament

Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska has launched its highly anticipated annual tournament, Fat Bear Week 2026. The single-elimination contest, which celebrates the robust brown bears of southwest Alaska, features an expanded field of 16 competitors, up from 12 last year. The lineup includes defending champion Chunk, who is looking to reclaim his title after healing from a broken jaw sustained during the previous competition.

Public voting runs daily from September 22 through September 29, with ballots open between 12 p.m. and 9 p.m. ET. Fans can cast their votes online via Explore.org, where live webcams provide real-time views of the bears in their natural habitat. Since its inception in 2014, the event has grown into a global phenomenon, drawing more than 1.7 million votes from over 100 countries in 2025, according to the National Park Service.

Mike Fitz, resident naturalist at Explore.org, announced that the bears have reached “peak fat” after a summer of feasting on salmon, berries, and other available food sources. “Bears get fat to survive, and fat is the fuel that powers their ability to endure the monthslong famine that is winter hibernation,” Fitz explained. Katmai park ranger Troy Hunt noted that the bears can fast for four to six months during this period.

Park officials reported a notable increase in cub sightings at Brooks Camp this season. Fitz stated that more than 100 distinct bears have been identified at Brooks River via webcams, signaling the emergence of a new generation of competitors. Park Superintendent Mark Sturm highlighted the significance of these findings, saying, “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.”

The 2026 bracket showcases a diverse group of contenders with unique stories and feeding strategies:

• 32 Chunk: The 2025 champion returns healthy and ready to defend his crown.
• 89 Backpack: Known for his distinctive blond ears and quiet demeanor.
• 151 Walker: A growing adult male whose pear-shaped build has helped him rise through the bear hierarchy.
• 164 Bucky: Has gained significant size by mastering a fishing spot in the plunge pool at Brooks Falls.
• 903 Gully: Named for his unusual habit of chasing and eating gulls along the river.
• 132: One of the largest and most experienced female bears, successfully raising three cubs while preparing for the tournament.
• 284 Electra: Features an iconic shoulder hump and is competing while raising two spring cubs, including one face-off against her own cub, 901.
• 610: A resilient female who survived a serious injury, became independent early, and is raising her first known litter of two cubs.
• 806: Displayed kindness by adopting another cub, Biggie, while raising her own.
• 901: Recognized for exceptional fat-building skills and strong fishing abilities inherited from her mother.
• 620: Recently became independent after growing up in a large family unit.
• 694: Avoids direct competition with older bears by utilizing alternative feeding spots to bulk up for hibernation.
• 131 Marshmallow: A light brown to blond bear who appears larger than ever after years of developing her fishing techniques.
• 428 Studious: The daughter of former champion Grazer, named for her intense focus while fishing.
• 909: Another offspring of a former champion who recently suffered the loss of two cubs.
• 910: Sister to 909, known for learning multiple fishing locations and methods to ensure adequate fuel stores.

Spectators can also engage with park rangers through online Q&A sessions and livestream talks hosted by Explore.org, the multimedia organization partnering with the National Park Service to manage the event.