Katmai's Fat Bear Week 2026 Bracket Unveiled: Meet the Contenders
TL;DR Summary
Katmai National Park revealed the Fat Bear Week 2026 bracket on Sept. 18, kicking off the 12th edition slated for Sept. 22–29 (no voting Sept. 26–27). The online, single-elimination tournament features a diverse mix of bears at Brooks River—adult females, subadults and males—battling in head-to-head matchups, with fans voting to crown the fattest bear before winter; notable contenders include 32 Chunk (2025 champion), 164 Bucky Dent, and 151 Walker.
- Fat Bear Week contestants revealed. See list of competing bears USA Today
- Alaska's salmon-feasting bears face off in biggest Fat Bear Week ever NPR
- Fat Bear Week has returned – and the salmon are swimming for their lives The Guardian
- Fat Bear Week is about to begin. Here are the chunky contenders. The Washington Post
- Fat Bear Week returns for fall 2026 KTOO
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