fat bear week 2026

Updated

Fat Bear Week 2026 is scheduled to take place from September 22 to September 29, 2026.

The annual tournament, hosted by Katmai National Park, Explore.org, and the Katmai Conservancy, invites the public to vote for the brown bear that has best prepared for winter hibernation by accumulating significant fat reserves.

Key Details:

  • Bracket Reveal: The tournament bracket is announced on September 18, 2026.
  • Voting Schedule: Voting takes place daily from September 22 through September 29. Note that there is no voting on the weekends.
  • Voting Hours: Polls are open from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time (9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time) each day of the competition.
  • How to Vote: You can participate by visiting fatbearweek.org. Voters compare "before and after" photos of the bears to decide which one has shown the most impressive transformation.