Katmai National Park begins Fat Bear Week 2026 competition

Fat Bear Week 2026 has officially commenced at Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska. The annual single-elimination tournament features 16 brown bears competing to be recognized as the heaviest before winter hibernation.

Due to an massive influx of online participants, organizers reported that the high volume of traffic “broke the internet,” causing server issues that forced the extension of the first round of voting. The competition, which began in 2014, aims to raise awareness about brown bears and their natural habitats.

Defending champion Chunk, who weighed approximately 1,200 pounds in 2025, is seeking a repeat victory. Other notable contenders include Gully and Bucky. Voters can participate online through September 29 and view the bears via live streams provided by Explore.org and the National Park Service.

While the Alaskan bears have reached “peak fat” after a summer of consuming salmon and berries, biologists note that bears in other regions, such as Colorado, have not yet reached their maximum seasonal weights due to different food availability and environmental factors.