Chunk Returns to Defend His Fat Bear Week Crown in 2026, Featuring 16 Contenders
Fat Bear Week 2026 at Katmai National Park in Alaska features 16 contenders, including defending champion Chunk. From Sept. 22–29, fans vote daily online to decide the winner, with Explore.org livestreams showing bears at Brooks Falls; park officials note the bears have reached peak fat after a salmon-rich summer and that a growing cub population is shaping the competition.